Cars drive under the north bridge over Cooper Street, which connects east and west campus, Jan. 28. UTA will return to normal operations Thursday following the winter storm.
In an email sent to faculty and staff Friday, UTA confirmed it will suspend new admissions into some degree programs and consolidate overlapping degree pathways in others.
The changes come from faculty engagement and data-driven analysis. A representative group conducted a review of all the affected programs. These changes will directly impact around 200 students, according to the email.
UTA will be suspending new admissions in the Bachelor of Arts in art history, Master of Science in sustainable building technology and Master of Science in taxation. Certificates, elective courses and, when applicable, minors in these programs will continue to be available to students.
The changes will consolidate and merge the Bachelor of Arts in chemistry with the Bachelor of Science in chemistry, the Bachelor of Arts in geology with the Bachelor of Science in geology and the Bachelor of Arts in mathematics with the Bachelor of Science in mathematics.
The following courses will be consolidated into a single program while also retaining programming as a track rather than a stand-alone degree: the Bachelor of Arts in theatre arts will merge with the Bachelor of Fine Arts in theatre arts, and the Master of Arts in mathematics with the Master of Science in mathematics.
New admissions will be suspended for the following programs while the curriculum is redone through an interdisciplinary lens: the Bachelor of Arts in anthropology, the Master of Engineering and the Master of Science in material science and engineering.
The UT System Board of Regents’ policy titled “Abandonment of Academic Positions or Programs” allows the president of the university to determine when to eliminate academic programs in the absence of financial exigency.
According to the policy, reasons for the elimination of programs can include low enrollment, redundancy, program quality and student outcomes.
“These changes focus our efforts where we can have the greatest impact on student success. By evaluating our programs, we’re attempting to ensure that every program protects the value our students and families count on,” UTA President Jennifer Cowley said in the email.
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