Bethel announces the programs affected by the recent budget cuts to the community.

By Molly Korzenowski

Provost Deb Harless sent an email to the Bethel community Thursday listing the programs eliminated due to budget cuts and the other areas affected by faculty  cuts. This week, 21 CAS faculty positions and three CAPS/Sem/GS positions were eliminated.  There were also 11  positions that will not be refilled after faculty retirement or positions already phasing out.  

Cut faculty received a contract for the 2020-2021 school year, and some will remain a second year as specific programs phase out.  Names of faculty members were not included.

Thirteen majors were cut, along with four minors. Out of the cut majors, five were branches of science education. Chemistry professor Ashley Mahoney said the STEM certificate for elementary education majors was important for Bethel students as they enter the workforce and to future generations of young students.

“I am most saddened by the cut to science education for future teachers,”  Mahoney said. “The corona virus has shown us how important the medical field and scientific researchers are, yet we have cut all focus on preparing teachers for this area.”

Some CAS departments will undergo changes. This will be discussed among deans and department chairs Friday. The following week, students whose programs have been affected will be notified via email. 

A community gathering will be held to address the decisions next Thursday from 11:30-12:15.