ErinCramer

Beneath students’ feet, the leaves have begun to crunch as they start to shiver in the brisk air. October has hit, and so have the thoughts of applying to college.

One of the main considerations when choosing a university is what major one plans to study. However, many students have been forced to rethink their plans as schools begin to restructure their finances.

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln is one of many major institutions proposing a new budget, which would include cutting several of its majors. 

The proposed budget would cut approximately $27.5 million. According to the UNL official website, the cuts are due to insufficient revenues to meet operating expenses. This is attributed to declining state funding, reduced net tuition revenue, rising costs for health care, property and liability insurance and utilities. 

Even though 2024 marked the first year in enrollment growth since 2017, net tuition still did not meet the projected amount. 

The proposal acknowledges that more than a short term solution is needed for the growing problems. The cut is aimed to realign and focus resources on “high-impact priorities.” However, some programs that aren’t deemed impactful enough are being completely cut. 

On Sept. 12, UNL officials announced that six departments would be eliminated in the proposed budget. These programs include Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Statistics, Educational Administration, Community and Regional Planning, Landscape Architecture, Textile Merchandising and Fashion Design. Additionally, four other programs could potentially be merged and several others could face budget cuts. 

UNL freshman Alyssa Robertson speaks about her experiences thus far with budget cuts up in the air. 

“The budget cuts are the reason I am changing my major from meteorology to software engineering,” Robertson said, “Every single meteorology student I have spoken with has decided to change their major or look at other schools.”

Robertson also sent a personal statement to the University in opposition to the budget cuts, where she argued for the protection of the EAS department. Robertson is not alone in her efforts either, as various groups of students from the university also protest the cuts. 

UNL is just one example of universities cutting major parts of their campus. Across the country, college institutions are cutting back on majors, staff and research. Some of these universities include internationally renowned Stanford, CalTech, Princeton and the University of Chicago.

Marian’s own college counselor Mr. Ben Ascher understands the state of federal funding. “It’s a shame because the proposed cuts not only eliminate jobs, but funding to programs in a time where we should be promoting and encouraging students to explore as many avenues as possible. We’re in a situation with budget cuts where we’re taking those [opportunities] away from students,” Ascher said. 

UNL’s potentially wide-ranging program cuts could affect not only their student body, but future students, including current Marian students. 

“Students are 17 or 18 years old when they’re going to college,” said Ascher. “You only have so much ability and time to expose students to the career opportunities that are out there. If those programs are cut in a college that is [a] predominant [choice for] Marian students, that is unfortunate. They now don’t have the ability to explore those programs.”

Not only are the actual programs at colleges being cut, but so are available funds for scholarships, financial aid and dual enrollment. 

“We’d love to see colleges increase scholarships. But the truth is, if they’re faced with a financial situation where they’re having to cut programs, they can’t raise scholarships to match the amount they’re increasing,” Ascher said. “Right now, Metro classes are completely free, and that’s a great opportunity that I would love to see continue. But, if we’re really thinking about a state-funded school giving out classes for free, I would imagine that could end.”

Marian students are fortunate to have an abundance of opportunities provided to them. Despite possible limitations on available majors, Marian students can remain confident in the fact that there is a college and career for them.