Jacksonville University Cuts Programs, Lays Off 40 Faculty

Jacksonville University is undergoing significant restructuring by laying off approximately 40 faculty members and eliminating dozens of traditional majors to focus on high-demand fields. The university's president, Tim Cost, stated the changes aim to align academic offerings with workforce needs and respond to a projected decline in nationwide college admissions. The number of undergraduate programs will decrease from 60 to 37, while graduate programs will be reduced from 23 to 15, affecting around 100 of the university's 4,200 students. The cuts include programs in music and theater, which have drawn criticism from affected students and faculty who express sadness over the changes. Despite the layoffs and program eliminations, JU will maintain its College of Law and a partnership with the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, which is set to open in 2026. Cost emphasized that the restructuring is not a reaction to past financial issues but a strategic pivot to meet current student and local economic demands.