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Wednesday the Marshall University Board of Governors approved the discontinuation of seven certificate and degree programs:
- Computer and Information Security Bachelor of Science
- Cyber Forensics and Security Master of Science
- Journalism Master of Arts
- Digital Communications Graduate Certificate
- Digital Forensics Graduate Certificate
- Integrated Strategic Communications Graduate Certificate
- Media Management Graduate Certificate
The cuts come as part of the school’s regular program review process. According to a program review schedule from Marshall, enrollment for the journalism program – plus certificate programs in Digital Communications, Media Management, and Integrated Strategic Communications – was already suspended in 2022 and was already in the process of being taught out of its final students.
President Brad Smith told the governors the school has done well to weather major upheavals that he called the three Ds: “the demographic cliff, the digital disruption, and the doubt people have about whether or not education is going to be as important in a world where you have digital AI and other assets.”
“Yes, times are uncertain, times are dynamic, they’re unpredictable, but I see a university that is leaning forward, working together arm in arm, preparing this university and this state for the next chapter of great,” he said.
Smith reported that the university is still facing a budget deficit of $10 million, down from $28 million a few years ago. He announced it is expected to drop to less than $3 million over the next year with the help of consulting firm Huron, which the university previously worked with in 2022.
They are tasked with assessing organizational alignment and revenue opportunities, as well as waste and inefficiency.
“We want to invest in the pay of our people, take care of the deferred maintenance, and take care of the house and make strategic investments in things like AI,” Smith said. “This is going to help us figure out where are those opportunities across campus.”
The governors also approved an expansion of Marshall’s Metro Tuition rate to all border states by 2028. Metro Tuition is more than in-state, but considerably less than tuition for non-West Virginia residents. Currently, more than 50 counties across Ohio and Kentucky benefit from reduced tuition.
“It’s going to be a two phased approach. The first phase, again, fall 2027, is a true 150-mile radius. We are currently at 150-mile radius, but only in Ohio and Kentucky. So, now that’s going to take us into Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, Virginia, Indiana, and Pennsylvania,” said Matt Tidd, chief financial officer.
Smith and other educational leaders have discussed the need to attract more out of state students to mitigate lagging enrollment numbers throughout higher education.