CLEVELAND, Miss. ( WJTV ) – Delta State University (DSU) President Dr. Daniel J. Ennis announced budget cuts and program reductions in order to address the university’s challenges.
Ennis shared a memo on May 13 for the university’s restructuring plan for the FY25 budget.
According to the president, the changes will be implemented pending approval by the Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning (IHL) and the university’s accrediting body.
Measures include cutting more than $6.1 million from the FY25 budget, with an additional $1.5 million in savings to be realized by the end of FY27.
Nearly half of master’s degrees have a negative ROI “In order to fortify Delta State University as a stronger institution poised for future success, I have made the difficult decision to implement budget cuts, program reductions, and service changes aimed at addressing the university’s challenges. These measures are necessary for the greater good of DSU’s sustainability and long-term viability,” said Ennis.
In recent years, the university’s president said DSU has been faced with an imbalance between spending and revenue, primarily attributed to declines in enrollment.
As part of this initiative, DSU will discontinue several programs that have experienced low enrollment, with half enrolling fewer than 10 students. These changes will consolidate 21 majors with low enrollments into four new degree programs to better serve students.
The College of Arts and Sciences and the Graduate and Honors Studies unit are being deleted, and the associated programs and services will be restructured into the remaining three colleges.
Two Mississippi students named 2024 U.S. Presidential Scholars “While the impact of some of these decisions will negatively impact friends and colleagues within the DSU community and is regrettable, we must prioritize the long-term health and vitality of the institution. By eliminating smaller programs, we can better support those with higher enrollment, ultimately enhancing the overall academic experience for our students,” said Ennis.
For students impacted by program closures, DSU officials said they will provide a plan to ensure a smooth transition and minimize disruption to their academic pursuits.
Employees in the university’s Student Success Center will contact affected students in the coming weeks and assist them.
Close Thanks for signing up!
Watch for us in your inbox.
Subscribe Now
Daily News
Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJTV.
Most Popular
Comments / 0