Rhode Island College suspends 20 degree programs, citing low demand
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The college is developing 'teach-out plans' for all programs selected for suspension or consolidation, and 'each and every student currently enrolled in those programs will complete their degrees as planned,' Warner wrote.
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He added that 'no faculty positions are expected to be impacted,' as the process is intended to reallocate resources 'where they will be most effective.'
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'This news may come as a surprise to some members of our campus community, and I understand that change of this kind is often a source of trepidation,' Warner wrote. 'I can't emphasize enough that this work should be a regular part of our housekeeping processes; it only seems new and novel because it has not been done for so long.'
The suspended programs and concentrations include: 'Art Education BFA, Art Education MA, Art History BA, English MA (Creative Writing), Gender Studies BA, Global Studies BA, Health Sciences- Respiratory Therapy, Health Sciences- Dental Hygiene, and Liberal Studies BA,' according to the college's
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'Elementary Ed. MED Early Childhood Education; Secondary Ed. BA General Science; Technology Education BS in Teaching; Technology Education BS in Applied Technology,' will also be suspended, along with 'Music Education MED,' world language bachelor of arts degrees in French and Portuguese; and 'modern languages' bachelor of arts degrees in Francophone Studies, French, Latin American Studies, and Portuguese, the report states.
Data provided by the college to the Globe shows no students are estimated to complete degrees for 10 of those programs this year, while other programs expect graduates in the single digits, with the highest being the art history program, which has six anticipated degree completions this year.
Warner wrote he expects there will be 'some disagreement about the findings in this report' and that administrators will be meeting 'with all the affected program leaders to hear any concerns as we reimagine some programs and reinvigorate others.'
'I believe strongly that higher education institutions need an array of academic degree programs that is dynamic, i.e. those programs with very low demand need to be evaluated for whether they should be continued or make way for new programs with demonstrated high demand,' Warner wrote.
Rhode Island College is far from alone in assessing its offerings.
Colleges and universities across the United States have been slashing majors and programs – overdue attempts to balance budgets as federal COVID relief funding has dried up, enrollment fluctuates, and operational costs rise,
In his letter, Warner wrote the college has been able to stabilize its budget and increase enrollment for the last two years. This year, enrollment topped 6,000 students – a first since 2019, he wrote.
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'But there is still work to be done,' he added.
Christopher Gavin can be reached at
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