Academic programs cut, general education requirements change

On March 18 the President of the University of St. Francis (USF), Dr. Ryan C. Hendrickson, provided an update on the academic reorganization process to the USF community. Throughout the 2025-2026 academic year, the University of St. Francis has worked to restructure academically with the focus to strengthen academic excellence, enhance student support, sustain financial stability, while upholding Franciscan values. 

To implement this academic reorganization, President Hendrickson created a Strategic Initiatives Task Force that is working towards enrollment growth. 

Saints United states, “the Strategic Initiatives Task Force is aimed at strengthening the University of St. Francis for a bright and sustainable future.” 

The task force is composed of three groups: a) academic programs and enrollment growth, b) institutional organization and c) policy manual reconsiderations. Each group assesses their respective area and provides a report to the USF President and the Task Force Co-Chairs, Annette Jelinek and Dr. Sudipta Roy. 

The task force group in charge of examining the existing academic programs and enrollment growth outlined a list of majors, minors and certifications that had low enrollment. The process of deciding which programs to suspend was a collaborative effort. 

“This group’s work was consultative and deliberative, and followed with input and feedback from the campus community. Additional input was sought from the leadership of the Academic Assembly and the Administrators and Staff Council,” Saints United clarifies. 

The update on Saints United emphasized that the majors, minors and certifications listed had less than five students currently enrolled or no students enrolled. This approach to academic reorganization is intended to keep USF competitive. 

“USF leadership has engaged in careful planning and collaboration to align academic programs with student interests, workforce needs, and long-term institutional sustainability,” the Vice President for University Advancement states on Saints United. 

Therefore, starting on the first of April, 11 undergraduate majors, 25 undergraduate minors, one adult undergraduate program, nine undergraduate certificates and 15 graduate certificates are suspended from USF’s academic catalog for the next five years. 

Undergraduate minor programs are taking the biggest hit with 25 suspensions, with subjects ranging from digital audio and recording arts (DARA) to recreation therapy. Supply chain management is the only adult undergraduate program facing suspension.