MOVING TO FRONT FROM OCTOBER 4: The information here has been updated, and the news is not good for philosophy (and several other units).
MOVING TO FRONT from October 2: The Potsdam philosophers are asking others to write emails/letters in support of halting the planned cuts; more information here.
Although there had been good news earlier, the bloodbath is about to begin in earnest. Philosopher David Curry at SUNY-Potsdam writes:
SUNY Potsdam has finally given up on pretending to be an institution “committed to the liberal arts and sciences as an academic foundation for all students”, as expressed in its mission statement. After holding a sword over the head of faculty by threatening extensive cuts for going on 3 years, the next phase commences.
Dr. Suzanne Smith (6 months on the job) announced on September 19 a plan to discontinue 14 degree programs at the university, including philosophy, and cut an as-of-yet-unknown number of faculty. This is on top of 4 programs discontinued over the Summer. The plan is an attempt to reduce the university’s $9 million operating deficit. Enrollment at the university has dropped around 40% over the past 10 years.
The programs announced for discontinuation are:
- Art history (BA)
- Arts management (BA)
- Biochemistry (MS)
- Chemistry (BA)
- Chemistry (BS)
- Dance (BA)
- French (BA)
- Music performance (MM)
- Philosophy (BA)
- Physics (BA)
- Public Health (BS)
- Public Health (MS)
- Spanish (BA)
- Theater (BA)
Those discontinued over the summer:
- College Teaching (CAS)
- Computer Science Education (BA)
- Geographic Information Science (BS)
- Speech Communication (BA)
The process in developing the plan has been as opaque as the realignment plan, reported in the spring of 2022. The philosophy department has reincarnated the website it created last year to document that ordeal, of which this is act three. You can follow the tragi-comedy as it unfolds at sunypotsdamphilosophy.com.