Faculty, program sections at St. Norbert signal a trend

De Pere, Wis. – When St. Norbert College begins its spring break, dozens of faculty members learn that they will be terminated next month.

The college is also awarded several programs.

Some students inscribed in St. Norbert said that these faculty and program sections were discouraging, and experts said that this type of cuts at some universities could be the norm for the foreseeable future.

Meaghan Dutton is a leading main subject geology. She learned that her program is one of several that are eliminated at St. Norbert College.

“It is really disappointing, because a large part of the geosciences and only the sciences in general are practical research experiences and amazing faculty members to guide laboratories and lectures for everyone,” said Dutton.

St. Norbert announced last week that the attitude of 15 majors ranges from the arts to theology. Dutton said that was shocking because her sister studied in theology.

“She has entered the Graduate School near the Ivy League schools, and this is just a graduate of our theology program. Every single graduate will do amazing things and know that the program is cut is just so disappointing, ”said Dutton.

The college also cuts 27 faculty positions. 21 of the cuts will occur until the end of this semester and six more next year.

This means that 66 of the 106 faculties remain a total of 13 positions.

Eric Fulcomer is President of the Wisconsin Association of Independent Colleges & Universities (Waicu). He said these cuts signal a shift in university formation.

“You are market -driven. The resources of income for universities like ours are primarily either philanthropy or tuition fees. And in such a way, tuition fees mean that the students are interested in paying for it, ”said Fulcomer.

Fulcomer said that there are fewer high school graduates, so he expects faculty and program cuts to be continued at universities and universities.

“If the registration is dismantled or the registration changes, the students are more of business major than on the liberal arts or the case, however, may be the case, there must be adjustments. I think we are unfortunately at a time when the universities still have to make difficult decisions, ”said Fulcomer.

St. Norbert has been around since 1898, so Dutton said she thinks the college would survive this challenge, but she said she was concerned about the next chapter of the college.

“I think the look in the future will be very different, while it will still be a wonderful community in which you can take part. I just don't think it will be the community we all know and love, ”said Dutton.

This has been the third round of St. Norbert College since September 2023.

With regard to the faculty and program cuts, the President of St. Norbert College, Laurie M. Joyner, made this explanation:

“These decisions have brought us difficult to get to one way to be stronger from this transition period. Resilience is proof of our Norbertin -DNA, and the loyalty that we have repeatedly observed in the past 18 months reflects the radical gratitude that we all have for this remarkable community. “