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Catholic university to cut religious studies, theology majors to fund more in-demand programs
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Catholic university to cut religious studies, theology majors to fund more in-demand programs

A Catholic university in Virginia recently announced that it is considering cutting 10 majors and programs, including religious studies and theology, citing a "lack of potential growth."

Marymount University, a liberal arts college, plans to eliminate bachelor's degree programs in theology, religious studies, philosophy, mathematics, art, history, sociology, English, economics, and secondary education. It also plans to ax a master's program in English and humanities.

Marymount University President Irma Becerra supports the controversial cuts, which have sparked a backlash from the school's students and alumni. The plan is also supported by the Faculty Advisory Committee and the Academic Policy, Budget, and Planning Committee, according to a university spokesperson.

"Over the long term, it would be irresponsible to sustain majors [and] programs with consistently low enrollment, low graduation rates, and lack of potential for growth," Becerra stated. "Recommendations and decisions on programs marked for elimination are based on clear evidence of student choices and behavior over time."

Student government president Ashly Trejo Mejia pushed back on the upcoming changes, calling them "detrimental to the diversity of our student body."

"We fear that removing programs will alter the foundation and identity Marymount University was built on," Trejo Mejia argued.

According to the updated plan reviewed by Fox News Digital, university officials believe the cuts will set up the school for long-term success.

"Universities that will thrive and prosper in the future are those that innovate and focus on what distinguishes them from their competition," the updated plan stated. "Digital disruption, economic conditions, and the explosion of low-cost, online course providers have put pressure on universities to reinvent their institutions in order to compete."

"Students have more choices than ever for where to earn a college degree, and MU must respond wisely to the demand," it added.

A spokesperson for the university told Fox News Digital that the funds from the eliminated initiatives would be used for more popular majors and programs. However, the spokesperson noted that the cuts were "not financially driven" and "will provide the University the opportunity to redeploy resources to better serve students and areas of growth."

Becerra submitted the plan to the board of trustees on Wednesday, and the board is expected to decide on the program cuts on Thursday.

Becerra claimed that the university would "continue to be grounded in the liberal arts and focused on the education of the whole person."

Critics argued that the university's plan does not fit its stated mission.

"If they want to change the mission, then say that and say what that change is," Ariane Economos, an associate professor of philosophy, told the Chronicle of Higher Education. "But getting rid of theology and religious studies at a Catholic university, that doesn't fit with the mission."

The American Historical Association reached out to Becerra last week, urging her to reconsider the elimination, which it claimed "undermines the university's commitment to 'intellectual curiosity, service to others, and a global perspective.'"

"While the university's liberal arts core provides one way of addressing this mission, it is essential that students have the opportunity for the deeper study and mastery of a field that comes with majoring in history and an array of humanities programs," the association's letter to Becerra stated.

A Marymount University spokesperson told Fox News Digital, "Marymount University's mission is unchanged. We will continue to prepare students for in-demand careers by offering them a robust education grounded in the liberal arts."

"However, Marymount is indeed making changes to better position the University for long-term growth and success," the spokesperson continued. "One of those is investing in programs with growth potential, aligned with student demand, to give Marymount a competitive advantage."

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