Columbia College Chicago announced plans to eliminate 11 undergraduate and graduate programs and lay off up to 25 full-time faculty members. This decision will eliminate the only bachelor’s degree program in American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation in Illinois, a move decried by Deaf educators.
While interim President Jerry Tarrer defended the cuts as necessary for the college’s survival, citing a $17 million deficit (down from $34 million last year), he acknowledged the devastating impact on the Deaf community. The college will retain ASL courses and a minor, but will no longer offer the training needed for state certification as an ASL interpreter. Tarrer is exploring partnerships with other institutions to potentially continue the program. He emphasized the high cost of the ASL interpretation program, stating that difficult choices were necessary to ensure the college’s long-term viability.
The restructuring also includes reducing the number of undergraduate majors from 59 to 33 next fall through cuts and consolidations. However, the college will launch a new online beauty management program, funded through corporate sponsorships, aiming to offset costs and attract more students. Tarrer projects the changes will save an estimated $5 million over the next two years.
The college’s financial struggles follow years of declining enrollment – from 11,400 undergraduates in 2010 to 6,424 in 2022 – and expensive infrastructure projects, including a $50 million student center in 2019. While officials claim the eliminated programs, including the ASL interpretation program, were underenrolled and financially unsustainable, faculty and students highlight the program’s crucial role and the already underserved Deaf community.
The college’s challenges extend beyond financial issues. Last year, a six-week strike by adjunct faculty disrupted classes, and many called for the resignation of then-President Kwang-Wu Kim, who subsequently stepped down. Tarrer, formerly the college’s chief financial officer, is now serving as interim president. He argues that streamlining programs will create a more synergistic curriculum that better meets employer demands for students with diverse skill sets.
Students currently enrolled in eliminated programs will be able to complete their studies or transfer to related programs. Faculty impacted by the layoffs will receive notification in January.