Campbell condems degree eliminations across Purdue University’s campuses

Yesterday, June 30, the Commission for Higher Education (CHE) announced that more than 400 degree programs across six of Indiana’s universities would be eliminated, suspended or merged. The state budget included a statute setting a minimum threshold of graduates for all degree programs. Across all Purdue University campuses, 83 programs will be impacted. Programs include bachelor’s in various disciplines of engineering, foreign languages, special education, economics and mathematics. 

State Rep. Chris Campbell (D-West Lafayette) released the following statement: 

“This is an overreach of government into higher education, echoing a dangerous national trend. The majority isn’t outright controlling students' education, but they’re restricting it, which achieves the same goal. Students should be able to study whatever they choose, especially since they’re paying hundreds of thousands of dollars for it. Programs impacted include economics, secondary education, finance and three engineering disciplines. I was especially shocked to see special education degrees on the list. 

“When I got my master's in audiology at Purdue, it was a relatively small program. But the size of the program didn’t matter. It was offered because students were interested, and even though the discipline is small, audiologists provide essential services. 

“Our public university is arguably our state’s greatest strength. Purdue is globally recognized. But to continue their record of success, Purdue has to be a great place to work and study. The General Assembly has continued to undercut these efforts with tenure reviews, monitoring instruction and now eliminating degree programs. It will get harder and harder for Purdue to pitch itself to out-of-state students and the nation’s top researchers. 

“For the party of small governance, this is a gross overreach into students' academic opportunities.”