The traditional American university model that has been in place since the 1960s is coming to an end. The trend of college closures and consolidations that began 15 years ago is expected to accelerate in the upcoming years.
College enrollments reached a peak in 2010 but have been steadily declining due to factors such as rising costs, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and other trends that have deterred students from pursuing higher education. Recent crackdowns on protests, anti-diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) sentiments, and the US government’s targeting of foreign students have created significant challenges for American universities. The closure of institutions or their struggle on the brink of closure is likely to become more widespread by the end of the 2020s.
One of the universities facing budget cuts is Sonoma State University, which is currently dealing with a $24 million shortfall. Despite a court ruling temporarily halting the university’s plans, Sonoma State may need to make difficult decisions, including eliminating majors, departments, and faculty positions. Departments such as art history, economics, geology, philosophy, theatre/dance, and women and gender studies are at risk of being cut.
West Virginia University faced a significant retrenchment in 2023, resulting in the elimination of majors and faculty positions due to budget deficits and declining enrollment. The austerity measures led to protests and resignations among faculty and administrators.
The decline in college attendance, particularly among men, has been a concerning trend. Several higher education institutions across the US, including Clarion University of Pennsylvania and California University of Pennsylvania, have either closed or merged due to financial challenges and lower enrollment.
Nationally, the number of students attending US colleges has decreased over the years, with projections suggesting that more institutions may close by the mid-2020s. The Trump administration’s policies regarding foreign students have also impacted international enrollment in US universities.
The challenges facing US higher education, including financial stress and declining enrollment, have been exacerbated by various factors. The future of American universities remains uncertain amidst these ongoing issues.
Meskipun baru-baru ini Harvard menyediakan oposisi terhadap pemerintahan Trump yang menindas perguruan tinggi, hierarki yang otoriter dan tenaga kerja yang lemah telah membuat respon pendidikan tinggi terhadap gerakan konservatif dan ekstrim kanan di AS benar-benar tak berdaya. Ditambah lagi asumsi konservatif tentang bidang seni liberal sebagai “immoral,” “indoctrination,” dan “libtards” alih-alih apa yang sebenarnya dimaksudkan: ekspansi pengetahuan tentang orang dan dunia. Selama beberapa dekade terjadi penekanan berlebihan pada STEM (ilmu pengetahuan, teknologi, teknik, dan matematika). Kemungkinan guruguru Proyek 2025 Trump memprivatisasi program pinjaman pelajar federal akan menjadi titik lemah yang mematahkan pendidikan tinggi AS saat ini.
Departemen seni liberal terutama akan terus konsolidasi, atau administrator universitas akan terus mencari alasan untuk menghapusnya sebagai langkah penghematan biaya. Semakin banyak dosen senior yang akan menerima uang pesangon, pensiun dini, atau dipecat. Dosen non-tenured dan staf junior akan hanya menganggur dan, dalam banyak kasus, tidak bisa lagi bekerja di lanskap pendidikan tinggi AS yang semakin menyusut. Terutama, para mahasiswa yang berada di institusi di luar 136 universitas elit teratas atau 50 perguruan tinggi dan universitas negeri unggulan mungkin tidak lagi mampu membayar kuliah, dengan puluhan ribu tidak bisa menyelesaikan gelar mereka. Pendidikan tinggi Amerika bukan hanya menatap jurang – sudah jatuh ke dalamnya.
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