You're navigating severe budget cuts in academia. How do you decide which academic programs take priority?

We tend to ignore unique competence. I often tell my students the old joke about working as a scarecrow. I won lots of awards in that job because I was "out standing in my field!' If your program can be truly outstanding, it will almost certainly be economically viable because it creates a defensible position that attracts students, employers, and donors. We are often tempted to give up our niche to chase a sliver of what everyone else is chasing. 100% of 10 is better than 1% of 100.

The main thing I would say is to be fully, consciously, and above all actively aware that short-term gains can have long-term consequences. Arts & Humanities, and Social Science programs may not seem financially viable on their own, but the career skills they teach are invaluable. Cutting whole programs based on current student demand runs the risk of being left out when the next generation of students applies. If considering making cuts but not cutting whole programs, be aware that reduced teacher contact time WILL raise student dissatisfaction and have an adverse impact on the university's reputation, itself affecting future recruitment of students.

In managing severe budget cuts, deciding which academic programs take priority involves assessing each program's alignment with the institution's mission, student demand, and impact on the community and workforce. Consider factors like enrollment trends, external funding, and the program's contribution to the university's long-term goals. Engaging faculty, students, and other stakeholders in discussions helps ensure that decisions reflect a broad range of perspectives. Programs that are essential to the university's core identity or that demonstrate strong potential for future growth should be prioritized, while balancing financial sustainability and academic integrity.

When navigating severe budget cuts in academia, it's important to prioritize academic programs that have the most impact on students' education and future careers. This may involve evaluating the popularity and success rates of different programs, as well as considering the potential long-term benefits to students and the community. By making informed decisions based on data and feedback, academic institutions can ensure that limited resources are allocated effectively to support the most valuable academic programs.

Prioritizing academic programs during severe budget cuts demands a strategic, data-driven approach. Institutions should align program decisions with their core mission, focusing on high-enrollment, in-demand programs with strong student outcomes and external funding. Collaborative decision-making involving faculty, students, and stakeholders is essential for minimizing negative impacts and ensuring long-term institutional health.

When navigating severe budget cuts in academia, deciding which academic programs to prioritize requires careful consideration and strategic planning. Here are steps to help you make informed decisions: Assess Impact: Evaluate alignment with mission, performance metrics, and strategic goals. Engage Stakeholders: Seek input from faculty, staff, students, and alumni. Consider Cost-Effectiveness: Evaluate expenses, revenue potential, and core program importance. Adapt to Trends: Align with student needs, market demand, and emerging fields. Communicate Clearly: Transparently share decisions and rationale with stakeholders for support and understanding.

I will select technical & scientific writing to be the academic program to take priority as to achieve that the student will required to fully comprehend several other courses and disciplines

Look back at your center’s mission statement and core objectives. Are you aiming to be a jack of all trades? Or are you pivoting towards a niched center of excellence, benchmarking yourself as the referral center in subject matters you’re specializing in? Sometimes it is worth consolidating our strengths and focus on what are our core competencies. Something that tends to be overlooked once the institution grows too big.

Of course, all of these 6 priorities are important. Strategic importance contains all remaining priorities. As strategic importance suggests, decision shall be data driven. SWOT (Strength, Weakness, Opportunity, Threat) analysis, Demming cycle of continuous improvement - PDCA (plan, do, check, act) helps continuous improvement of the colleges. As PMP (project management professional), I know stakeholders' input is important. As a LEED Green associate, I understand importance of sustainability, as a Lean Applied to Business Processes Green Belt Certified, I understand how to focus on system rather than a task and do more with less. As a CEFP, we discuss about doing the best with budget cut in academia. Follow APPA for some more detail.

Prioritize programs that align with the institution's mission and values, fostering critical thinking, innovation, and societal impact. Support those that uphold academic excellence and contribute significantly to community and global development.

Focus on programs with high student enrollment, strong job placement rates, and emerging industry relevance. Analyze historical data and future trends to ensure the programs meet current and future demands effectively.Financial viability:

The highest metric should be student uptake by the field. I studied education in the 80's. We were constantly told about impending demand. I sent out hundreds of resumes to crickets. When I finally got a post I asked the principal if he noticed the scarcity of teachers that had been predicted. He said yes there has been a big drop in applications. We used to receive 6more than 100 per job. It's down to about 50. I was couched to pursue a career that had a competitive rate of over 100 to 1. That is over supply NOT demand.

The University of British Columbia built up 2 departments to top 10 world class, Zoology and Engineering. It keeps the university relevant.

Cost cutting here can be 2 edged. Saving money is good but if it devalues the education it will cost in the long run. US trend in 90's was to cut labs, substituting virtual work shops. We received a student from Boston to the Zoology master program who couldn't direct a fish = useless degree.

Regular pruning is good organizational hygiene. Develop criteria for regularly evaluating programs - include quantitative data: revenue generated & cost of running program, enrollment metrics, course offerings, and qualitative: alignment with mission, program quality and outcomes, innovation and adaptability, impact on institutional resources, stakeholder feedback. Systematic evaluation demonstrates responsive leadership. Review a program’s contribution to the institution, their financial metrics, and their alignment with broader goals, leading to more strategic and effective organizational management.