The UNC Board of Governors approved a recommendation on Wednesday to eliminate four University of North Carolina Asheville academic programs and curtail another.
Talking with system leaders Wednesday, UNCA Chancellor Kimberly van Noort emphasized the importance of the university's future while explaining her request for cutbacks.
“It is my responsibility as chancellor and the responsibility of my academic team to ensure that we correct the budget difficulties that we've had at the university and position the university for future success so that we will not deal with this ever again,” van Noort said, according to audio from the meeting, provided to BPR from WUNC.
Last month, van Noort announced her proposal to eliminate some programs following an Academic Portfolio Review, prompted by ongoing financial struggles.
UNCA has seen a 25% enrollment decline over the last five years and is addressing a deficit of approximately $6 million.
The programs that are going to be discontinued in fall of 2024 are:
- Ancient Mediterranean Studies (degree program and academic department)
- Drama (degree program and academic department)
- Philosophy (degree program and academic department)
- Religious Studies (degree program and academic department)
In addition, French and German concentrations in the Languages and Literatures Departments will also be eliminated.
This week, van Noort acknowledged the contributions of affected faculty members but said the cost of those programs being cut isn’t tenable at UNCA.
“Ancient Mediterranean studies has averaged three graduates per year over the past five years. They have four tenured track faculty members,” van Noort explained. “The philosophy department has averaged 4.5 graduates over that same time with six tenured faculty members.”
According to the agenda item from the Committee on Educational Planning, Policies, and Programs, personnel decisions have not yet been made for the eliminated programs. Individualized plans of study have been made for students still enrolled in their respective programs.
As reported by WUNC, the UNC System also announced it was rolling out a new pilot program to guarantee some admissions at UNC Asheville, UNC Greensboro, Elizabeth City State, Fayetteville State, UNC Pembroke and Winston-Salem State. Any North Carolina high school student will be granted automatic admission to those institutions with a minimum GPA of 2.8.
Brianna Atkinson of WUNC contributed to this report.
