Rhode Island College Degree Program Suspensions: Reasons and Regulations

Rhode Island College (RIC), like many higher education institutions across the United States, periodically reviews its academic programs to ensure they align with student demand, institutional mission, and efficient resource allocation. Recently, RIC announced the suspension of 20 degree programs and the consolidation of 15 others, a decision that has sparked debate among students, faculty, and lawmakers. This article delves into the reasons behind these suspensions, the regulations governing such actions, and the broader context of program reviews in Rhode Island's public higher education system.

Regulatory Framework for Academic Changes in Rhode Island

The Council on Postsecondary Education (CPE) oversees academic programs and organizational units within Rhode Island's public higher education institutions, including Rhode Island College and the Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI). The CPE's authority is grounded in regulations such as the "Regulations Governing Academic Changes in Rhode Island Public Institutions of Higher Education." These regulations dictate the process for establishing, abolishing, or substantially modifying programs or organizational units.

The regulations have evolved over time, with amendments reflecting changes in Rhode Island General Law and the need for periodic policy review. The CPE requires public institutions to submit information to the Office of the Postsecondary Commissioner (OPC) for review when proposing academic changes. The OPC assesses whether a full proposal, an abbreviated proposal, or a simple notice of change is required.

Types of Academic Program Changes Requiring Approval

According to the regulations, four major types of academic program changes necessitate CPE approval if they fall outside the approved role and scope of a college:

Establishment of a new program or significant changes in an existing program: This includes the creation of new degree-granting programs (e.g., B.A. or B.S. degrees) and substantial modifications to existing programs, such as changes in course sequences exceeding 25% of the total program.
Establishment of a new location for an academic program: Academic programs are typically approved for specific locations, and initiating an approved program at a new location requires CPE approval.
Change of mode of delivery to distance learning: If an institution intends to offer 50% or more of a degree program's requirements through distance learning, CPE approval is mandatory.
Abolition of an existing program: The complete termination of a program requires formal approval.

Notice of Change Requirements

Certain institutional changes only require a "notice of change" to the CPE, submitted through the Academic Affairs and Student Success Committee. These include:

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Suspension and Reopening of Programs: When admissions to a program are suspended or reopened, the CPE must be notified. There are also time limits on how long a program can be suspended before it must be officially abolished or have its suspension justified. Undergraduate programs can be suspended for no longer than 150% of the normal completion time (e.g., six years for a bachelor's program), while graduate programs have a suspension limit equal to the institution's specified program completion time (e.g., five years for a master's program).
Seeking, Receiving, or Losing National Accreditation: The CPE should be informed when an institution begins the process of seeking national accreditation for a program.

The Program Review Process at Rhode Island College

Rhode Island College initiated its program review process to address decreasing demand and optimize resource allocation. According to college President Jack R. Warner, the goal is to create "a stronger, more effective and more efficient institution that better serves students and produces more graduates prepared to help power our state."

The review identified 20 programs for suspension and 15 for consolidation. These changes are scheduled to take effect in the fall of 2025. Students currently enrolled in the affected programs will be able to complete their degrees as planned, with the college developing "teach-out plans" to ensure a smooth transition.

Reasons for Program Suspensions

The primary reason cited for the program suspensions is low enrollment. According to statewide policy, programs that have not awarded at least 11 associate or bachelor's degrees, six master's degrees, or four doctoral degrees over a three-year period are subject to elimination, merging, or continued review. Data from RIC indicated that many of the affected programs had awarded fewer than five degrees annually since 2021.

The suspended programs and concentrations include:

Art Education BFA and MA
Art History BA
English MA (Creative Writing)
Gender Studies BA
Global Studies BA
Health Sciences - Respiratory Therapy BS
Health Sciences - Dental Hygiene BS
Liberal Studies BA
Elementary Ed. MED Early Childhood Education
Secondary Ed. BA General Science
Technology Education BS in Teaching
Technology Education BS in Applied Technology
Music Education MED
World language bachelor of arts degrees in French and Portuguese
Modern languages bachelor of arts degrees in Francophone Studies, French, Latin American Studies, and Portuguese

Concerns and Criticisms

The program suspensions have faced criticism from students, faculty, and some lawmakers, who argue that the process lacked transparency and equity. Some faculty members claimed that the review process was inconsistent with the college's internal policies, with changing templates, updated data, and shifting deadlines.

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Concerns have also been raised about the impact of the cuts on the college's mission and vision, particularly the reduction of student options in critical and relevant academic fields. Some argue that humanities programs, which often bear the brunt of such cuts, are vital to the college's public and cultural mission.

Defense of the Suspensions

Despite the criticisms, the college administration maintains that the program suspensions are necessary to ensure the institution's long-term sustainability and effectiveness. President Warner emphasized that the changes are a "regular part of our housekeeping processes" and that the college has been able to stabilize its budget and increase enrollment in recent years.

The administration also assures that no faculty positions are expected to be impacted, as the process is intended to reallocate resources to areas with higher demand and greater potential for student success.

Broader Context: Program Reviews in Higher Education

Rhode Island College's program review is part of a broader trend in higher education, with colleges and universities across the United States slashing majors and programs to balance budgets in the face of declining enrollment, rising operational costs, and the expiration of federal COVID relief funding.

The Rhode Island Board of Governors for Higher Education (RIBGHE) mandates periodic program reviews to ensure quality and productivity. These reviews consider factors such as economic and societal need, student demand, program duplication, and resource availability.

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Criteria for Program Continuation

The RIBGHE uses specific criteria to determine whether a program should be continued, modified, or discontinued. These criteria include:

Economic/societal need: The program should serve the economic and/or societal needs of the state or region and not be unnecessarily duplicative of similar programs within Rhode Island's system of public higher education.
Student demand: Sufficiently large demand in terms of student interest must exist for the program.
Resources: Programs must have adequate resources to maintain quality, including faculty, personnel, facilities, instructional resources, and supplies.

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