READING, Pa. — Outside Albright College, students took their concerns to the sidewalk. Inside the classroom, they’re worried about what comes next.
“We want to know the truth about what’s going on with our school and our education,” said sophomore Rylie Rice, a theater and vocal performance major.
Albright says some majors will be phased out starting next school year. Other subjects will remain as minors or individual courses.
To explain its decision, the college points to low enrollment, changing student interests and the need to keep programs affordable.
“Colleges and universities across the country are facing similar decisions as enrollment patterns shift, operating costs rise and expectations for graduate outcomes increase,” the college said in a news release.
Impacted majors and minors include classical studies, digital communications, Holocaust studies, painting, public health and others.
Rice and Bee Gambino, a fashion design and merchandising major, both attended a Thursday protest about the change.
“Really there’s just been so much lack of transparency,” Gambino said.
“They told us that we could finish out [and] graduate if we keep our majors,” Rice said. “But it’s not worth it for me if I can’t have the same professors and the same opportunities.”
In a news release, the college said students enrolled in affected programs will be able to finish those programs and receive their degrees.
But Rice encouraged others to keep speaking out.
“I think people should keep fighting, sign the petition,” Rice said. “They’re going to try to silence us. But we cannot be silenced.”
Copyright 2026 Maranatha Broadcasting Co., Inc.. All Rights Reserved.