The University of Wisconsin-Superior issued a news release this morning announcing it has “suspended several academic programs in an effort to positively affect student success and position itself to continue to remain responsive to regional needs.”

The news release mentioned no program by name. The Duluth News Tribune reports the programs to be dropped include “journalism, multiple science majors, theatre, art history and more — meaning no new students will be admitted into multiple majors, minors and one graduate program.”

Below is a list of the 25 programs being suspended. It includes nine academic majors, 15 minors and one graduate program. A Superior Telegram story reports 121 students are enrolled in the suspended programs.

Major Programs
Broad Field Science (major)
Broad Field Science (Teaching) (major)
Chemistry: Forensic (concentration)
Communicating Arts: Journalism (track)
Communicating Arts: Media Studies (track)
Political Science (major)
Sociology (major)
Theatre (major)
Visual Arts: Art History (concentration)

Graduate Program
Masters in Art Therapy

Minors
Computer Science
Computer Science (Teaching)
Earth Science
Geography
Geography (Teaching)
Global Studies
Health and Human Performance
History (Teaching)
Journalism
Legal Studies
Media Communication
Photography
Physics
Physics (Teaching)
Psychology (Teaching)

The Superior Telegram is also reporting additional academic programs have been put on a warning status.

Although UWS will continue to accept students into programs on warning status, changes in curriculum are required. Action plans must be developed by June 1 for the programs.

Programs on the warning list include the following majors: Broad field social science, broad field social science (teaching), chemistry, chemistry (teaching), computer science, economics, history, history (teaching), mathematics and mathematics (teaching).

The following minors have also been put on the warning list: Biology (teaching), chemistry (teaching), English, English (teaching) and mathematics (teaching).

The university’s news release notes cutting the programs will “narrow the possible options for incoming students and help them make more informed decisions.” The release appears below in its entirety.

UW-Superior makes changes to academic programs

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Leaders at the University of Wisconsin-Superior have suspended several academic programs in an effort to positively affect student success and position itself to continue to remain responsive to regional needs.

New students will not be admitted into these programs at this time. Students who have currently declared these majors or minors will be assisted in completion in their program of study. Decisions were made based on program enrollment trends, credits to degree and other factors.

According to the National Center for Inquiry and Improvement, students faced with a multitude of program choices struggle with course selection, which can lead to making misguided decisions. First generation college students are particularly susceptible to becoming overwhelmed by large academic program arrays. Considering 46 percent of the UW-Superior student body meet first generation criteria, the university’s decision will narrow the possible options for incoming students and help them make more informed decisions.

Approximately three percent of our undergraduate majors are currently enrolled in one of these major programs of studies, with the majority of these students at senior status. “We are committed to helping students complete their current program of study. Faculty and professional academic advisors will work with students in these programs to ensure they can complete,” said Brenda Harms, Interim Vice Chancellor of Enrollment Management.

No faculty will be laid off as a result of these suspensions. The university will continue to offer more than 50 majors and more than 40 minors.