West Virginia University Approves Major Cuts to Address $45 Million Budget Shortfall

In a significant development, West Virginia University has given its final nod to sweeping changes in academic programs and faculty positions, marking the conclusion of a passionate exchange between the university community, students, and officials. These measures have been undertaken in response to a daunting $45 million budget deficit.

The university's Board of Governors, in a recent vote, decided to discontinue 28 of its majors, constituting roughly 8% of its offerings, and eliminate 147 faculty positions, which translates to approximately 5.7% of the workforce at its Morgantown campus. Notably, these cuts include one-third of the education department's faculty and the entire world language department. However, it's worth mentioning that seven language teaching positions will be retained, and students will still have the option to take some language courses as electives.

This decision comes at a time when the university has been grappling with financial challenges, such as a 10% decrease in enrollment since 2015, revenue losses due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and mounting debt from new building projects.

Adding to the complexity, these reductions are in addition to measures taken back in June, when the board greenlit $7 million in staff cuts, impacting approximately 132 positions. Furthermore, they slashed 12 graduate and doctorate programs and sanctioned a 3% tuition hike.

During a public hearing prior to the board's decision, numerous speakers, including students and faculty members, passionately voiced their opposition to these cuts.

Earlier this month, a faculty group made symbolic gestures, expressing a lack of confidence in President E. Gordon Gee and calling for a halt to the ongoing cuts, which the American Federation of Teachers labeled as "severe and calamitous." The situation remains fluid, with the university community continuing to grapple with the ramifications of these substantial changes.