Academic closures, mergers, cuts: October-November 2024

How are colleges and universities responding to financial pressures?

I’ve been blogging about some answers to this question for nearly all of 2024 (sample posts: March 1, March 20, March 28, April, May, June, July, September), partly as evidence for some points in the book I’m writing. I also think it’s important to document these institutional strategies and tactics, including for noting the human impact. Today I’ll share exemplary stories from the past two months since my last post on the topic.

I’ll follow the format I’ve been using this year: campus closures, followed by mergers, staff cuts, and looming financial problems. At the end are some brief observations.

On a personal note, I honestly often dread doing this cuts etc. posts. They frustrate and depress me for obvious reasons. But I feel it’s important to document this part of the reality of higher education, especially if it’s little discussed. It’s evidence for the future. Let me know what you think in comments.

1 Closing colleges and universities

Bard College at Simon’s Rock (private liberal arts college, Massachusetts) will close its campus, relocating to a new site next to the mothership Bard College in New York. The reasons are two: first, “many years of declining enrollment revenue.” Second, “the competitive market of early college offerings around the country.” The institution was a rare one, enrolling high school age…