Why it matters: Critics said that cutting classic majors like art history and philosophy would be unthinkable at elite universities. They also held that Cal State Dominguez Hills, where Black and Latino students make up the majority and where more than 60% are eligible for federal Pell Grants, should have continued access to robust course offerings.<\/p>\n
The backstory: Faced with \u200ba potential $375-million cut<\/a> in state funding last winter, campus leaders across the CSU system moved to lay off faculty, shutter athletics programs and end majors.<\/p>\n What’s next: In an email, campus spokesperson Lilly McKibbin said \u201cNo programs are currently being considered for potential discontinuation.\u201d She also said that, as the campus continues \u201cthe process of reviewing our academic offerings, faculty and university leaders will consider many options, which could include expanding or consolidating existing programs, launching new ones, developing more interdisciplinary programs, discontinuing some offerings, or a combination of these possibilities.\u201d<\/p>\n Go deeper: Cal State Dominguez Hills students, faculty rally to save 6 ‘essential’ programs from chopping block<\/a><\/p>\n After concerted pushback from faculty, students and alumni, Cal State Dominguez Hills has decided not to eliminate six academic programs that were on the chopping block for months. <\/p>\n Faced with \u200ba potential $375 million cut<\/a> in state funding last winter, campus leaders across the CSU system had moved to lay off faculty, shutter athletics programs and end majors.<\/p>\n At Cal State Dominguez Hills, campus leaders considered eliminating art history, earth sciences, geography and philosophy, along with labor studies and \u201cNegotiation, Conflict Resolution and Peacebuilding<\/a>,\u201d which are rare at most campuses.<\/p>\n This week, interim provost Kim Costino informed LAist that the programs will not be eliminated.<\/p>\n \u201cInstead,\u201d Costino added via email: \u201cover the next year, [Cal State Dominguez Hills] will engage in a broad, holistic redesign process that will result in a leaner academic program portfolio that aligns the university\u2019s academic offerings with our strategic plan,<\/a> the CSU strategic plan, our university mission, the needs of our students and the job market demands of the region.\u201d<\/p>\n In a followup email, campus spokesperson Lilly McKibbin said, \u201cNo programs are currently being considered for potential discontinuation.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThroughout the process of reviewing our academic offerings,\u201d she added, \u201cfaculty and university leaders will consider many options, which could include expanding or consolidating existing programs, launching new ones, developing more interdisciplinary programs, discontinuing some offerings or a combination of these possibilities.\u201d<\/p>\n A community effort<\/p>\n For educators like labor studies professor Stephen McFarland, Cal State Dominguez Hills\u2019 decision to change course for now comes as \u201ca big relief.\u201d<\/p>\n In December, the California Faculty Association rallied against the proposed cuts. If implemented, members said, they wouldn\u2019t just be detrimental to their colleagues but also to students.<\/p>\n In an email, McKibbin had told LAist: \u201cLike all universities, [ours] must continually assess academic programs and invest in those which meet student needs, fulfill job market demands, and advance our mission. The university\u2019s current financial constraints limit our ability to invest in new or expanded programs that could meet those needs.\u201d <\/p>\n
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