Clarkson considers cutting liberal arts, humanities and social science degrees, faculty

Oct. 18—POTSDAM — Clarkson University began meeting with faculty and staff Tuesday to discuss a prototype plan that would lead to eliminating some academic programs at the institution.

Kelly Chezum, the university's vice president for external relations, said the prototype plan aims to look to the future and keep the college relevant.

"We need to be thinking about the things we want to prioritize into the future," she said. "We can't do that without also looking at where we can get that savings from what we're doing now."

A message to the college community outlined the plan: "With groups tasked within our Faculty Senate, we are reviewing a prototype plan that lays the groundwork to begin to level up Clarkson for the STEM-focused future economy and to give our students a further competitive advantage in data proficiency. Graduates with these skills understand technology in a way that will not only impact the company where they work but also the sector where they compete. This effort includes evaluating the creation of new majors like data analytics for humanities and digital communications. At the same time, the plan proposes sunsetting existing programs that have limited alignment to the STEM-focused future."

Chezum said the programs cited for elimination in the prototype are liberal arts, humanities and social science programs.

They represent about 3% of the current enrollment, Chezum said.

Those programs are outside the Clarkson mission, she said, which is evidenced by the low enrollment.

In a message to the college signed by President Marc P. Christensen, Interim Provost Christopher C. Robinson and Vice President of Financial Affairs Jeff Ives, students were assured of being able to complete their educations.

"We want to make it clear that no changes will impact current students' progress towards their degree completion and that they may choose to pursue the new majors proposed in the plan with our full support," they stated.

According to the campus message, the Faculty Senate is beginning discussions on the steps it will take to debate and improve upon the plan for the remainder of the semester. Group sessions are being scheduled with the students in majors proposed to be eliminated after graduation.

The prototype plan calls for reorganizing academic operations into fewer administrative units. This includes shifting programs with a strong collaboration record under the same academic school.

Kelly said that would result in some reduction in administration.

Normal turnover will contribute to the final plan, the message said.

While some programs will be discontinued, new majors and programs that "align to Clarkson's strengths" will be introduced.

Chezum said the college is asking questions.

"What are we best at? What are we known for? How can we also help be relevant in the future?" she said. "There isn't a path to keep raising tuition to make that happen. We really need to be making our access to education affordable and with a good return on investment."

Tuition at Clarkson is around $28,000 per semester, Chezum said, but most students get some aid.

"One in three of our students come from households with less than $50,000 income," she said.

The average Clarkson graduate leaves college with a debt of $29,000, she said.

She said that students who graduate with STEM degrees (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) can expect a job that pays $70,000 per year.

The college wants to have a final plan in place by the end of the semester, Chezum said.

"That way, we can also communicate that with any future students who may be looking at the institution," she said.