Your Opinion: Disappointed by cuts in LU programs

Dear Editor:

As a graduate of Lincoln University, I am extremely disappointed in the recent decision by the Board of Curators to "deactivate" and "eliminate" several academic programs.

The reason for these cuts was identified as a lack of demand among students. This "supply/demand" argument raises some serious questions. Will this model be used in the future for other "low-demand" majors? If so, how often will programs be "deactivated"? What happens to the faculty of these programs? Can programs be "reactivated"? If the university administration's plan for the future is to cut academic programs, instead of providing them with the resources to grow, what will be left to offer the students of Lincoln University in five years? 10 years? 20 years? 150 years?

Though I disagree with his recommendations to the Board of Curators, I would like to thank President Kevin Rome for taking the time to respond to my inquiries. As of today, I have not received any response from the curators themselves.

If Lincoln University wants to remain an institution that students, faculty, staff and alumni are proud to call home; it should re-activate its History program immediately. I received top-notch training in writing, research and critical thinking through my studies in the History Department at Lincoln University, and it would be a shame for my alma mater to deny the same opportunities to future students.