The Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences Dr. Goldie Byrd announced to students and staff on March 31 that the Bachelor of Arts degree programs within the Foreign Language Department would no longer be offered in the areas of Spanish and French, and the department would be completely phased out in two years.

She stated, the University was acting on a mandate from administration within the UNC system to assess which academic programs were high or low producing and to make the necessary cuts to off set budget restraints.

 “We are [undergoing] very serious financial stress,” said Dr. David Aldridge, Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Studies.

Performance evaluations look at the department’s graduation rates within the last five years, and a degree program is considered low producing if in two consecutive years it does not graduate a minimal of 20 students.

In the last two academic school years before the review was conducted, 2008-2009 and 2009- 2010, the Foreign Language Department only graduated nine students in both Spanish and French, and since the 2005-2006 academic school year the most students to graduate from both degree programs combined has been six in a single year.  

Furthermore, Byrd stated that this decision was not a “reflection of the quality of education” within the department or its professors.

Students who have completed fifty percent of their degree curriculum requirements by the end of this semester, a minimal of 62 credit hours, are able to continue their matriculation under a teach-out program. According to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges this is a written agreement between the students and administration allowing graduation from a program that is “reasonably similar in content, structure, and scheduling.” Those who do not meet the credit requirements are encouraged to meet with their advisor to consider changing majors or possibly institutions.

The students in attendance were outraged to say the least, and felt the administration did not fully consider the repercussions they could potentially face, as well as the potential damage to the University’s reputation.

“Basically they are closing our future, said Helen Briggs, a junior Spanish major from Chapel Hill, North Carolina. “They want us to go abroad, and [participate in globalization], but if they have no foreign language department how are we going to communicate with these international people and companies.”

“This is my major that they are shutting down,” said Chloe McSwan, a sophomore Spanish major from Virginia Beach, Virginia. “I really wouldn’t have a choice [but to change majors]. I just can’t go to UNCG because I could lose my tennis scholarship and I am an out-of-state-student.”

Many students took the change personally and felt as if it was forced upon them without a proper opportunity to have their concerns heard or a chance to improve the department to review-passing standards.

“As a Dean and [former] chairperson, the last thing I want to see is a program cut, but it’s done,” said Byrd. “[We] want to make sure you know what your options are; how best to help you get your degree.”

The administration assured the students that upper level advanced classes would not close due to low enrollment to ensure a fair opportunity to complete the required major courses in the designated time frame.

Additionally, students would not be granted a degree in this department after 2013 even if they utilize the consortium agreement and take classes at another UNC system institution.

Since 2005, the University has undergone program performance reviews three times. During each one this department was evaluated, even though special protection was extended to foreign language departments across the UNC system. In 2008, however, that order was lifted. The review conducted that year resulted in students no longer being able to pursue a Bachelor of Science degree in Romance Languages and Literatures and Secondary Education for both Spanish and French.      

Dean Byrd would not comment on the status of the faculty and staff after the department is gone, and she refused to state with certainty under which department foreign language classes would be offered after the phase out.

The Department of Foreign Languages was the youngest degree program to be cut, currently servicing 30 students from all classification levels, and the administration acknowledged this was only the first round.

“Dr. Bravo, Profesora Carrig, Dr. Morales and Professor Niditch are by far the best teachers I have ever had in my life. They embrace the language and culture and share that enthusiasm with the students,” said McSwan. “I’m just devastated about the closing of the program.”

• By LaRia Land