The West Virginia University Office of the Provost has announced the final recommendations from the first four appeals hearings of the Academic Transformation program portfolio review process. The Department of World Languages, Literatures and Linguistics was under review due to low and declining enrollments. The department received a recommendation to consolidate majors and eliminate the requirement of a foreign language for Bachelor of Arts majors. The final recommendation from an appeal hearing is to eliminate foreign language majors and master’s degree programs, but continue to provide face-to-face instruction in two languages. The department is also recommended to reduce the number of faculty positions and relocate them to another unit.
The decline in the number of foreign language degrees awarded nationally and at WVU has been a concern. However, the final recommendation addresses the importance of offering language instruction at the university. The Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, Maryanne Reed, stated that the recommendation allows students to take language courses as electives and potentially as minors. Instruction in Spanish and Chinese would be offered based on student demand and instructional capacity.
The Department of Forestry and Natural Resources will discontinue the BSR program in Recreation, Parks, and Tourism Resources. The Division of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering will continue with the preliminary recommendation to discontinue the BSBSE Biometric Systems Engineering program.
The School of Public Health appealed the preliminary recommendation to reduce the number of faculty positions by 14. The final recommendation has adjusted that reduction to 11 to maintain the accreditation and operation of current academic programs.
The final recommendations will be presented to the Board of Governors for a vote on September 15. The University will continue to announce final recommendations as additional appeals are heard.