University of Maine to Eliminate Spanish Master’s Degree, Suspend Medical Lab Sciences Program The University of Maine has voted to eliminate its master’s degree in teaching Spanish and suspend its bachelor’s degree in medical laboratory sciences, citing low enrollment and lack of student interest. The decision, approved by the Faculty Senate at the Orono campus, follows similar program changes at other campuses within the University of Maine System this fiscal year. The changes are part of a broader budgeting process aimed at addressing an $18 million shortfall projected for the next fiscal year, which includes laying off fewer than 10 staff members and increasing state funding by $2.3 million. The Faculty Senate voted to eliminate the master of arts in teaching Spanish, the only Spanish master’s degree offered by the University of Maine System, due to historically low enrollment. Over the past five years, enrollment for the program ranged from zero to just three students annually. Faculty members noted that the program did not provide a pathway for students to obtain a teaching license for K-12 schools, which is typically a feature of master’s degrees in education. While the Spanish master’s program is being eliminated, students can still pursue Spanish at the undergraduate level, with enrollment in the Spanish minor and major remaining stable. The medical laboratory sciences bachelor’s degree will be suspended for three years, pending a review of its future status. The program has not enrolled students for several years, according to Mary Jean Sedlock, a faculty senate member and co-chair of the Program Creation and Reorganization Review Committee. After the suspension period, the program will be reassessed for possible elimination.#university_of_maine #faculty_senate #orono #university_of_maine_system #mary_jean_sedlock
