SU cuts cause education downgrades

Downgrades to faculty causes conflicts with courses due to devastating budget cuts at Southern University in Baton Rouge.
Mergers in the bachelor’s degree programs in special education, elementary education and middle-school education are in the works, as well as the consolidation in the master’s degree in elementary education and secondary education.
Various degree programs are switching into concentrations under its education programs are French, Spanish, English, biology, chemistry, physics, and math.
Ending its bachelor’s degree program is agricultural economics and instead making it a concentration under the soil science degree program.
Merging its master’s degree program is environmental science into its master’s of science in chemistry program.
Professors of these programs are encouraged to help by going out and strategically recruiting students in order to increase enrollment in these courses.
Cecilia Golden, assistant provost said, “The termination of degree programs was never about the quality of the programs, it was about the quantity of majors in and graduating from the programs.”
SU is nationally recognized and accredited in these individual programs: nursing, engineering, education, business, and architecture
One of it’s most prestigious programs, the Southern University school of nursing, is a baccalaureate Program that graduated its first class of 14 students in 1988 and by the end of 2000 the school had over 700 Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) graduates.
This undergraduate program is nationally recognized for its success with students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
“Our summer 2007 class had a 100% pass-rate on the national licensure exam,” said Dr. Janet Rami, newly appointed interim provost.
One of the universities strongest programs, the engineering program, which consists of four-year programs in civil engineering, electrical engineering, and mechanical engineering leading to a Bachelor of Science degree has even been affected by the recent budget cuts.
Habib Mohamadian, Dean of the College of Engineering said, “With the current situation, we had to stream line our operation by efficiently offering all required courses for engineering and technology.
The college of engineering has seen a slight but steady growth in graduation rates despite a decrease in enrollment.
The college of engineering along with the entire university has also decreased in staff.
“We have loss several faculty positions for the past 3 to 4 years as a result of cuts, retirement and certain staff transfers for other vacant faculty positions,” said Mohamadian.
Even with the program experiencing these setbacks, it is certain that the high demand for engineering majors may alleviate some pressure.
“We’re very optimistic about attracting more students in undergraduate programs,” said Mohamadian.
The Department of Mathematics, has also been greatly affected in their faculty.
Katrina Cunningham, Chairwoman of the math department said, “We’ve gone from 40 full-time teachers, to 11 full-time teachers.”
This extreme decline comes with a major loss to the department’s course offerings because of the reduction in instructors present.
Cunningham said, “People have been interested in coming to the department but the budget just won’t allow it.”
Even with these major cuts going on all over the university, teachers remain adamant about providing students with the best education possible under these circumstances.
On top of many changes going on with courses, the university online winter session was also canceled due to the new banner system not being equipped.
“This cancellation will come as a real loss to students,” said Golden.
With many people unsure about the future of Southern University, some students believe that through all the adversity, they have gained much from their college experience.
Taylor Hills, a mass communications major said, “I must say that my professors have done a great job. Showing me what works, and how it works, and I appreciate all they’ve done for me.”
Alec Scott, an apparel, and merchandising major said, “I do believe I have been well prepared by Southern for my career as well as for living and doing business in the corporate world.”