UM master's program in literature axed by Montana office of higher ed

The Office of the Commissioner for Higher Education officially terminated the University of Montana's master’s degree program in literature on Wednesday, according to a UM spokesperson.

This termination goes against the recommendation of the UM Faculty Senate, which voted on April 2 against terminating or placing a moratorium on any of the cuts UM proposed earlier this year, which included minors in Irish studies and Chinese in addition to the literature program, according to Faculty Senate Chair Valerie Moody.

All currently enrolled students will be allowed to finish out their degrees, but the master's program will not admit new students, the Missoulian previously reported.

UM sent its official recommendation to terminate master’s programs in both literature and economics last week and OCHE approved the decision to cut the literature program on Wednesday, according to UM spokesperson Dave Kuntz.

The master's program in literature had already started accepted applications from prospective students for next academic year, Kuntz said, adding a quicker decision on its future from OCHE was needed for that reason.

“With the program now being terminated, UM has a responsibility to ensure those prospective students were notified of the termination before upcoming national application deadlines,” Kuntz told the Missoulian in an email. “OCHE has not yet taken action on UM’s recommendation regarding economics. No prospective students were allowed to apply to this program for next year, so the timeline is not as pressing."

The university previously said these decisions were driven by low student enrollment in the programs.

Chairwoman of the UM English Department Louise Economides said in a statement to the Missoulian faculty and students in the department find the cuts "inexplicable" and the way the university administration went about it "disturbingly unilateral."

She said the administration and OCHE making this cut without "sufficient justification" and despite pushback from students and faculty sets "a really bad precedent" for future program reductions within the Montana University System.

UM will be the only public university in the Northwest region to lack both a master's degree and Ph.D. in English, Economides said, which she described as "an embarrassing indicator of its retreat from being the state's 'flagship' humanities institution and a leader in R1 research."

Literature Program Director Rob Browning said in a statement to the Missoulian during the rise of artificial intelligence, it is "folly" to cut a program teaching expertise in the English language.

He said administrators may not have thought the decision through during what he called a "hasty" process.

"Meanwhile, in their moving defenses of the study of literature at UM, in letters to Provost Lawrence and OCHE and in oral statements before the Faculty Senate, many dozens of students, faculty, and members of the community have demonstrated the qualities and skills we so badly need right now: foresightfulness, eloquence, passion, and courage," he said.

Vice Provost for Academic Affairs John DeBoer penned a letter to students currently registered in the master’s literature program, updating them that OCHE accepted UM’s recommendation to terminate the degree.

“This decision does not affect your ability to complete your degree. All currently enrolled students will be supported through graduation,” the letter read.

The letter said the English Department and graduate school will work with current students to confirm individual plans of study, “ensuring course availability, advising, and any necessary adjustments to keep you on track.”

“We recognize that this is a significant decision with real impact on your faculty mentors. We want to acknowledge the care and engagement they have brought throughout this process,” the letter read. “We also thank you, the students of the MA Literature Program, for your thoughtful engagement and advocacy on behalf of the program.”

DeBoer also sent a similar letter to current students in the master's program in economics, saying the decision doesn’t affect students’ ability to complete their degrees and current enrolled students will be supported through a “teach-out plan designed to ensure timely completion.”

“The Economics Department and Graduate School will work directly with you to confirm your individual plan of study, including course availability, advising, and any necessary adjustments to keep you on track,” DeBoer wrote.

Kuntz sent the language from both letters to the Missoulian on Friday.