In an effort to streamline their academic program offerings and shore up financial stability, Columbia College Chicago has announced a significant reduction in the number of majors available to students. As reported by CBS News Chicago, the institution plans to slim down its academic programs from 58 to a more focused lineup of 40 by next year. According to a spokesperson for the college, "These proactive steps are designed to make Columbia even more attractive to young creatives and to help drive their post-graduation success."
Further details regarding the cuts were provided by The Chicago Sun-Times, which highlighted the elimination of approximately 18 'underperforming' majors. The decision to streamline these programs is based on several factors, including program demand, financial performance, and cost savings, helping the college to recover from a deepening budget deficit, now reported at $38 million. "Our goal is to better serve our current and future students, while also investing in future programs that sustain our programmatic currency," said a school spokesperson.
Specific programs identified for elimination include the Bachelor of Arts in Art History, American Sign Language-English interpretation, and creative writing, as well as the Master of Fine Arts in photography and fine arts. Despite these cuts, the college has committed to creating a completion pathway for all students currently enrolled in the affected programs, giving them the opportunity to finish their degrees even though incoming students will not have these programs as an option come next fall.
The impact of these program eliminations on the teaching faculty remains uncertain, although the school has previously laid off 70 staff members amidst its increasing financial woes. This comes on the heels of President Kwang-Wu Kim's resignation after more than a decade in the position, a tenure that ended following a controversial six-week strike by adjunct faculty that left the institution and its constituencies grappling with operational and academic disruptions. Amidst budget shortfalls, and tension within the academic community, Columbia College Chicago endeavors to realign its curriculum to better fit the market and its financial reality.
With a finalized list of program changes expected to be announced in early 2025, the college's direction and viability continue to be a point of focus for students, faculty, and prospective enrollees alike. As the creative landscape evolves, Columbia College Chicago's adaptations may well set a precedent for how institutions pivot in the face of financial adversity and shifting industry demands.
