News Summary
Rhode Island College has announced the suspension of 20 degree programs and the consolidation of 15 others due to a drop in enrollment demand. College President Jack R. Warner stated these changes, effective this fall, are part of efforts to streamline academic offerings. Teach-out plans will be developed to help current students complete their studies. The move reflects broader challenges in the higher education sector, impacted by funding losses, declining enrollment, and rising costs, while the college aims to maintain institutional relevance.
Providence, RI – Rhode Island College has announced the suspension of 20 degree programs and the consolidation of 15 others, a decision prompted by a notable decrease in enrollment demand for these offerings. College President Jack R. Warner delivered the news to the campus community in an email on April 16. The suspension of enrollment for the affected programs will begin in the upcoming fall semester.
The changes stem from a recent “Program Productivity and Efficiency Process” conducted during the spring semester, aimed at streamlining academic offerings. Warner emphasized that these decisions are crucial for the institution’s goal of becoming a stronger and more efficient college. As part of this transition, the college is developing “teach-out plans” to assist currently enrolled students in completing their degrees as initially planned.
Among the programs that will be suspended are properties in the arts, healthcare, education, and language studies. Specific programs include Art Education BFA, Art History BA, Global Studies BA, and Health Sciences – Dental Hygiene. Notably, the college reported that no students are expected to graduate from 10 of the suspended programs this year. Some programs anticipate only a minimal number of graduates, with the highest being the Art History program, which expects just six completions.
Warner reassured the college community that these changes would not affect faculty positions, as the administration plans to reallocates resources to enhance the effectiveness of current programs. He acknowledged that there may be resistance to these findings and expressed an intention to meet with program leaders to address any concerns.
The disruption in enrollment is not isolated to Rhode Island College; similar cutbacks and evaluations are presently occurring in higher education institutions across the United States. These adjustments are often motivated by budgetary pressures resulting from decreased federal COVID relief funding, declining enrollment figures, and rising operational costs. Despite these challenges, Warner reported that Rhode Island College has successfully stabilized its budget and increased enrollment over the past two years, with current enrollment exceeding 6,000 students for the first time since 2019.
The decision to suspend and consolidate degree programs aligns with Warner’s belief that higher education institutions should consistently evaluate the viability of low-demand programs, either by maintaining them or replacing them with offerings that better serve student interests and workforce needs. This type of program evaluation is viewed by the administration as an essential aspect of maintaining institutional vitality and relevance in a changing educational landscape.
As Rhode Island College moves forward with these changes, the focus will remain on supporting students through the transition, ensuring that their educational paths remain uninterrupted and aligned with future career opportunities.
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Additional Resources
- Boston Globe: Rhode Island College Suspends Degree Programs
- WPRI: RIC Cutting 20 Degree Programs Due to Low Demand
- PBN: RIC to Suspend 20 Degree Programs Citing Low Enrollment
- Higher Ed Dive: Johnson & Wales University Gains Approval for 3-Year Bachelor’s Degree
- Wikipedia: Rhode Island College
