Declining enrollment coupled with chronic underfunding from SUNY under previous NYS administration contribute to a grim scene for some SUNY schools.

SUNY Fredonia, for one, is planning to eliminate several academic programs to address its $10 million budget deficit. Several SUNY schools are experiencing budget deficits.

This is the disheartening reality that profit circumvents human interest. Many of the academic programs being eliminated fall under the purview of humanities. Humanities may not be as popular as the STEM fields; however, the skills developed are critical in the workforce. Critical thinking, for example, is an essential skill to foster.

The academic programs that will be removed include:

• Art History
• French and Adolescent Education in French
• Industrial Management
• Mathematic Sciences for Middle Grades
• Philosophy
• Sociology
• Spanish and Adolescent Education in Spanish
• Visual Arts in Ceramics
• Photography
• Sculpture
• Early Childhood Education

Nationally, the institution of higher education is experiencing reduced enrollment, difficulties with budgets, and, of course, ideological tensions.

Having said that, it is imperative to ensure that students, staff, and faculty are provided full access to offer input and feedback regarding any institutional decisions. At the end of the day, though, a university is a business, and academic programs not providing sufficient revenue may not be viable. Still, this is a stark circumstance.