DePeré, Wisconsin – As St. Norbert College begins its spring break, dozens of faculty members are learning to close next month.
The university also has several programs.
Some students who enrolled in St. Norbert said the cuts to these faculty and programs are discouraged, while experts said these types of cuts at some universities could be the norm for the near future.
Meaghan Dutton majors in geology. She learned that her program is one of several excluded at St. Norbert University.
“It’s a real shame because it’s a big part of geoscience and the majority of science in general is a member of research experience and amazing faculty to really lead the lab and lectures for everyone,” Dutton said.
St. Norbert announced last week that he had suspended 15 majors ranging from art to theology. Dutton said this was shocking because her sister majored in theology.
“She joined a school near the graduate school Ivy League. It’s just a graduate of our theology program. All of the graduates continue to do amazing things and it’s a shame to know that the program is being cut.”
The university has also cut down on 27 faculty positions. 21 of the cuts will occur by the end of this semester, with six more coming next year.
This means that out of the 106 faculty members, 66 have 13 positions available.
Eric Fulmer is the president of the Wisconsin Association of Independent Universities (WAICU). He said these cuts indicate a change in higher education.
“They are market driven. The revenue resources of universities like us are either primarily charity or tuition fees. So tuition dollars mean that students are interested in the program,” Fulmer said.
Fulmer said there are fewer high school alumni, so he hopes faculty and program cuts continue at the university.
“So when registrations drop or registrations change, if students are more interested in business majors than free art, or if you know, or if you know, then I think it’s necessary to adjust. Unfortunately, I think it’s at a time when the university has to make difficult decisions,” Fulmer said.
St. Norbert has been around since 1898, so Dutton said he thinks the university will survive this challenge, but she said she is worried about the next chapter of the university.
“I think the future looks very different, but it’s a great community that’s still a great community. I don’t think it’s a community that we all know and love,” Dutton said.
This is the third round cut at St. Norbert College since September 2023.
Regarding faculty and program cuts, St. Norbert College President Raleigh M. Joyner provided this statement.
“These decisions, although difficult, have set us on a path to strengthening from this transitional period. Resilience is a testament to our Nobeltinian DNA, and the loyalty we have witnessed over the past 18 months reflects the fundamental appreciation we all have in this remarkable community.”
