Report: Some Universities Dropping Liberal Arts; Now Favor Career-Focused Specialized Programs

The New York Times reports today (January 13, 2019) that many public universities in rural America are facing a crisis of lower enrollment, funding, and changing demographics -- and are looking to eliminate longstanding liberal arts degrees in favor of career-focused programs -- according to the Newsmax website.

But critics say in trying to carve out a sustainable path at rural schools like UW-Stevens Point in Wisconsin -- where BAs in history, French, and German are getting dropped -- administrators are risking the very essence of a four-year college experience.

"Part of the fear is, Is this an attempt to really kind of radically change the identity of this institution?" Jennifer Collins, a political science professor, told the NY Times, adding she's worried Stevens Point might become a "pre-professional, more polytechnic type of university."

Kim Mueller, 21, a senior who hopes to become a history teacher at a Wisconsin high school, told the Times her first reaction to the proposal was: "What is a university without a history major?"