Jacksonville University has announced that it will be eliminating some majors and laying off 40 faculty members as part of a broader effort to reduce costs and improve financial sustainability. The university claims that these changes are necessary to propel student success and academic excellence, meet market needs, and create long-term financial sustainability. This decision is part of a larger effort to reexamine the university’s academic offerings and ensure that they align with the needs of the market. The university expects to reduce controllable expenses by 10% across all of its operations by Fall 2025. The university’s president, Tim Cost, stated that the decision is not meant to be a reduction of the university’s commitment to its students, but rather a necessary step to ensure that the university can continue to provide a high-quality education to those who are interested in studying at JU. As he said, “We are in the business of preparing tomorrow’s leaders for success in their chosen fields. It is our responsibility to continually evaluate how best to achieve that mission by focusing our resources at the intersection of student demand and real-world opportunity.”
The university has announced that it will continue to offer its 37 most in-demand undergraduate majors and minors, including nursing, healthcare science, business administration, psychology, computer science, cybersecurity, marine science, aviation, finance, dance, visual arts and media arts, among others. These majors represent 96% of the current students at the university. Some of the graduate programs that will continue to be offered include clinical mental health counseling, speech-language pathology, law, public policy, business, marine science, and dance. The highly successful College of Law, which graduates its first class in May 2025, will continue all programs and offerings. The university has also announced plans to combine disciplines from the Linda Berry Stein College of Fine Arts & Humanities and the traditional College of Arts and Sciences to create the new Linda Berry Stein College of Arts and Sciences. This college will house students in 15 fields of study, including the School of Fine Arts and Humanities, the School of Social Sciences and Education, and the School of Science and Mathematics. However, the university will also be eliminating some majors and programs that are consistently undersubscribed and specialized. These changes will affect approximately 100 students who are currently enrolled in these majors. The university is providing comprehensive support to these students, including dedicated Care Team services, to help them transition to new majors or programs. The university’s decision to eliminate some majors and programs is part of a broader effort to create a more sustainable business model. As the Chief Financial Officer, Kim Banks, stated, “This is a critical moment for the hundreds of universities like ours nationwide to focus and prioritize their academic offerings, serve their core constituents, and create long-term financial sustainability.”
The University’s Commitment to Student Success
The university’s commitment to student success is clear. The university has taken steps to ensure that students are well-prepared for the workforce and that they have the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in their chosen fields. As the university’s president, Tim Cost, stated, “As a premier private, comprehensive university, we are in the business of preparing tomorrow’s leaders for success in their chosen fields.”
The university’s decision to eliminate some majors and programs is not meant to be a reduction of the university’s commitment to its students. Rather, it is a necessary step to ensure that the university can continue to provide a high-quality education to those who are interested in studying at JU. The university’s efforts to reduce costs and improve financial sustainability are part of a broader effort to reexamine the higher education industry nationwide. As the Chief Financial Officer, Kim Banks, stated, “The higher education industry nationwide is being asked to reenvision its financial model. We are ready to meet this new landscape.”
What’s Changing
• The university will continue to offer its 37 most in-demand undergraduate majors and minors, including nursing, healthcare science, business administration, psychology, computer science, cybersecurity, marine science, aviation, finance, dance, visual arts and media arts, among others. • The university will continue to offer 15 graduate programs at the masters and doctoral levels in high-demand fields such as clinical mental health counseling, speech-language pathology, law, public policy, business, marine science and dance. • Some consistently undersubscribed and specialized fields of study will no longer be offered as majors to new, incoming students, and some programs will be sunsetted. • The university will provide comprehensive support to students who are affected by these changes, including dedicated Care Team services.
What to Expect
The university is taking steps to minimize the impact of these changes on students and faculty. The university is holding meetings with students who are affected by these changes and providing comprehensive support, including dedicated Care Team services. Students who are currently enrolled in affected majors will be offered a pathway to graduation from JU. The university is working to ensure that these students can complete their planned degrees through teach-out plans that comply with the university’s accreditation. The university is also taking steps to ensure that faculty members who are affected by these changes are supported. The university is providing severance packages to affected faculty members and is working to ensure that they are able to find new employment opportunities. The university is committed to providing a high-quality education to its students and is working to ensure that these changes do not negatively impact student success.
| University of Jacksonville | Undergraduate Majors | Graduate Programs | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 37 | Maintained | 15 | Maintained |
Student Support
The university is providing comprehensive support to students who are affected by these changes. The university is holding meetings with students and providing dedicated Care Team services to help them transition to new majors or programs. The university is also working to ensure that students are well-prepared for the workforce. The university is providing career exploration services and is working to ensure that students have the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in their chosen fields.
Conclusion
The university’s decision to eliminate some majors and programs is part of a broader effort to create a more sustainable business model. The university is taking steps to minimize the impact of these changes on students and faculty. Overall, the university’s decision to eliminate some majors and programs is a necessary step to ensure the university’s long-term financial sustainability.
