Obviously not, but Indiana State University proposes to eliminate its Philosophy Department (with four faculty), as well as its Physics Department, while upgrading Insurace and Risk Management; Physical Education; Exercise Science (not to be confused with Phys Ed!); Packaging Technology; and Textiles, Apparel & Merchandise. As philosopher Steven Hales from Bloomsburg University (who called this story to my attention) pointed out to me: "All of these are bachelor degrees, not certificates or minors." So Indiana State will award a B.A. in "Physical Education," but never again in Physics or Philosophy.
Put aside whether anyone, anywhere in the world, ought to receive a college degree for studying "Physical Education," it is very clear that Indiana State must drop the "university" from its name, and choose a more apt name, like "Indiana State Vocational-Technical School." There is, no doubt, need for such vocational and technical training, but it should not be done under the guise of pretending to be a university or institution of higher learning. To be the latter, the school simply must offer a systematic course of study, leading to a degree, in central disciplines like Physics and Philosophy.
You may e-mail your comments or a link to this item to Dr. Karen Schmid, the V-P for Academic Affairs at Indiana State.
Let us also hope the AAUP is monitoring this situation to ensure that faculty in the affected academic programs are being treated fairly.
UPDATE: Please see in particular the comments below from Professor Gennaro, Chair of the Department of Philosophy at Indiana State.
