IBLC condemns program cuts due to budgetary statute

On June 30, the Commission for Higher Education (CHE) announced that more than 400 degree programs across six of Indiana's universities will be either eliminated, suspended or merged due to a statute in the state budget. The statute set a minimum threshold of graduates for all degree programs. Impacted programs include special education, policy, mathematics, African American studies, religious studies and various disciplines of engineering.

State Rep. Earl Harris Jr. (D-East Chicago), chair of the Indiana Black Legislative Caucus (IBLC), issued the following statement on behalf of the caucus:

"Beyond just getting a degree, the purpose of higher education is to help our students become more well-rounded and prepared for our workforce and to become a productive member of their community. Whether they receive a degree in mathematics, finance or a liberal arts program, students know what the best option is for them. The state government has no right to dictate what programs colleges can and cannot offer.

"I’m concerned not only about the students who will no longer be able to benefit from a well-rounded education through these programs, but also for the university staff currently working in the impacted departments. Educators are among our state's greatest resources, and this budget puts their livelihoods in jeopardy.

"It will be difficult to undo the harm that this biennial budget has created in many facets of Hoosiers' lives, but we in the IBLC look forward to working with our colleagues to mitigate these issues during the upcoming legislative session."