Source-inc.com
St. Cloud State’s Music Therapy Program Axed Amid Sweeping Cuts
Christina Westman, who aspired to work as a music therapist with Parkinson’s disease and stroke patients, found her education abruptly disrupted when St. Cloud State University announced the elimination of its music department. The Minnesota college’s decision to slash 42 degree programs and 50 minors, including the music therapy major Westman intended to pursue, is part of a broader trend in U.S. higher education. US Colleges are grappling with financial strains as they face rising operational costs, dwindling enrollments, and the end of federal COVID-19 relief funds. For many students, these cuts have created significant uncertainty and forced them to reconsider their academic and career plans.
Westman, who had already signed a lease in St. Cloud, has spent the past few months frantically searching for work in a new city and subletting her apartment. She eventually transferred to Augsburg University in Minneapolis to continue her studies. While St. Cloud State has assured most students that they can complete their degrees before the cuts take full effect, Westman’s major, which was newly established, had not yet begun, leaving her in a precarious position. The wave of program eliminations has caused widespread anxiety among students, who now face an uncertain academic future.
National Trend of Program Reductions as US Colleges Adapt to New Realities
The challenges at St. Cloud State are not unique. US Colleges, both large and small, are being forced to confront the financial realities that have emerged in the wake of the pandemic. Larry Lee, the former acting president of St. Cloud State, noted that many institutions had delayed making cuts, hoping that enrollment figures would rebound to pre-pandemic levels. However, as federal relief money runs out, colleges must now adjust to their new financial circumstances.
While higher education saw some recovery in enrollment last fall and during the spring semester, particularly at community colleges, four-year institutions continue to struggle. A shrinking pool of potential students, exacerbated by declining birth rates during the Great Recession, is contributing to the enrollment challenges faced by many US Colleges. Additionally, the federal government’s overhaul of its financial aid application process has left millions of students uncertain about their college plans and how they will afford tuition. Experts fear that these factors could lead to further declines in enrollment, making it even more difficult for colleges to meet their financial targets.
Widespread Impact on Students and Faculty as Colleges Cut Back
The consequences of these cuts extend beyond budgetary concerns, affecting students, faculty, and entire academic departments. At St. Cloud State, the university’s enrollment has fallen significantly, from around 18,300 students in fall 2020 to about 10,000 in fall 2023. This decline, coupled with a $32 million budget shortfall over the past two years, led to the decision to eliminate several programs. The situation is particularly dire for smaller programs and those in the humanities, which have seen a steady decline in graduates over the past 15 years.
Some colleges have taken even more drastic measures, including shutting down entirely. Institutions such as Birmingham-Southern College in Alabama, Fontbonne University in Missouri, Wells College in New York, and Goddard College in Vermont have closed their doors as a result of financial struggles. Other schools, including West Virginia University and North Dakota State University, are phasing out programs to cope with declining enrollments and budget constraints.
The cuts are especially difficult for students like Lilly Rhodes, a music major at St. Cloud State, who worries about the future of her department. With new students no longer being admitted and faculty members seeking new jobs, the music program faces an uncertain future. As ensembles shrink and the program is phased out, students are left to navigate an increasingly challenging academic environment, raising concerns about the long-term sustainability of many college programs across the country.
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