The Student Collective Volume VII Issue I

GFU Announces New General Education
Package and Changes to Academic Portfolio:
Liberal Arts Programs Gutted
Reported by: Aurora Biggers
Photographed by: Imogene Eagan
During an interview with The Crescent last fall, Provost Andrea Scott was frank about George Fox University’s (GFU)
academic priorities; liberal arts programs weren’t going to make the cut. Keeping in line with Scott’s statement, the university
announced a new general education plan, which included notable cuts to liberal arts programs.
These changes come on the heels of a strategic plan that the university announced in the fall, to “Stay rooted in Christ. Be
affordable. Be Flexible.” The new education plan, entitled “Building a Better University,” details the updated general education
plan and changes to the university’s academic portfolio. The latter announcement sparked rage among undergraduate liberal
arts students on Tuesday. Some students took to social media to express their frustration with the university. On Wednesday,
senior student Maya Burgess stood outside Stevens with a sign and protested the changes: “You can’t have liberal arts education
without the humanities.”
Burgess, a double major in international studies and politics, is now graduating from two majors that will no longer exist
at GFU. “My heart breaks,” Burgess said, “[GFU administration] clearly saw a choice of finances over the beauty and impact of
liberal arts.”
Despite frustration from students, faculty, and alumni, GFU’s academic priorities are unlikely to change. When asked
by The Crescent for a comment on the education changes, Scott reaffirmed administration’s position. “Change though often
challenging and uncomfortable is a natural part of remaining the excellent school that we are,” Scott said, “I can’t emphasize
enough that the changes we are undertaking have students at the heart and Christ at the core.” Scott also noted financial factors
affected the decisions, citing “unfavorable market dynamics.”
Scott said she sympathizes with students’ but urges them to redirect their frustration: “Rather than speculate, students
are encouraged to read the University’s strategy and historical websites to learn more about our history of innovation as well
as the exciting times that are ahead.”
These changes shouldn’t be a surprise. GFU has been steadily whittling away at the liberal arts budget, following the
direction of other universities across the U.S. Last year, the university began a round of discussions that resulted in cuts to
more than a dozen faculty members and several programs, including phasing out international studies, French, and journalism.
This new roll-out for GFU’s academic portfolio is an effort to “streamline the path to graduation, improve the student
experience, and eliminate unnecessary courses.”
Courses slated for elimination are: theater, sociology, music education, health and human performance, chemistry, and
information systems. The decision to eliminate chemistry and information systems may be more unexpected, but Scott has
stated that her main priorities are directed towards medical programs and the honors program.
These eliminations will also undoubtedly change the demographics and culture at GFU. Shifting away from art programs,
for example, will disproportionately impact LGBTQIA+ students.
Other programs that are significantly affected are Spanish, which will only be offered as a minor; music and business,
which are being “reimagined” into smaller programs; and politics, which is now offered as a concentration within the history
major.
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