Two Ohio colleges may cut, combine course offerings

Associated Press

TOLEDO

Two public universities in Ohio are considering cutting or combining programs following a request from Republican Gov. John Kasich to find ways to save money.

The University of Toledo is reviewing 11 programs, including American studies, Asian studies, German and French, The Blade reported.

Other programs under review are digital arts, art history, global studies, general business and commerce, athletic training, geology, and clinical laboratory science.

“These 11 programs are not only duplicative, but they are low enrollment,” said university Provost Andrew Hsu. “Many of the programs have been looking at themselves and reviewing and discussing for collaboration.”

The programs could be left intact, eliminated or offered in coordination with nearby Bowling Green State University.

The state Department of Higher Education and a governor’s college-affordability task force instructed public universities to review programs offered by other public universities in the same area.

Toledo’s board of trustees unanimously approved the list on Monday.

Program quality, contribution to the university’s mission, cost-effectiveness and demand will be evaluated.

Faculty members said program cuts wouldn’t save money for years because tenured faculty wouldn’t be fired.

Some courses must be available, professors said, because students in other majors take them or they’re needed to satisfy accreditation requirements.

Bowling Green hasn’t finalized the list of programs it plans to review, Provost Rodney Rogers said. He expects the list will overlap with Toledo’s.

That list must be submitted to the state by April 30. Final decisions are expected by Dec. 31.

“We are all aware of the need to make sure we can be as efficient as possible. I think we are certainly taking this very seriously,” Rogers said.