On the chopping block: Dozens of programs are in danger of being cut - Will Graff, Western Washington - Western Front

On the chopping block: Dozens of programs are in danger of being cut, based on a predicted 13 percent decrease in funding over the next two years. A range of programs, majors and departments are in jeopardy of being eliminated, consolidated or trimmed, resulting in major changes across the board at Western, according to a budget proposal released by university officials on May 4. In the proposal, called “Rebasing for Western’s future,” President Bruce Shepard outlined proposed cuts that will further limit student choices for majors, programs and degrees. Non-tenured professors might be laid off and jobs around campus will be eliminated. The cuts proposed could eliminate graduate school and redistribute responsibility to colleges. The cuts could also eliminate all undergraduate classes with fewer than 10 students and two majors: liberal studies and environmental journalism. Fairhaven’s teaching methodology would be assessed to reduce costs and make it more similar to Western.