Rally planned to oppose elimination of 15 majors at Utica University

UTICA, N.Y. — A union rally is planned Friday, Feb. 17 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Utica University just outside the board meeting where trustees will vote on eliminating 15 academic majors at the institution.

“This is an historic moment for Utica University,” Utica University Chapter of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP-Utica/AFT 6786) President Lenore Fleming said in a press release. “Faculty and students and their many supporters are speaking up and making their voices heard. They are asking for transparency and explanation. They are asking to be part of the conversation. We’ll see on Friday if the board of trustees listens.”

AAUP-Utica contends that the motivating concerns behind its rally are the lack of transparency and clear rationale behind the academic-major cuts. The union also alleges proper curriculum procedures were circumvented during the process.

That process began last August when the Utica University board of trustees tasked the university to undertake an academic portfolio review. As a result, the review workgroup recommended the university “sunset” 15 majors and modify several others, citing low enrollment and declining student interest in those areas of study. The majors impacted account for 4.4 percent of the current undergraduate student body.

Utica University announced the proposed changes on Jan. 18 and accepted comments through Feb. 2.

AAUP-Utica launched a petition opposing the cuts on change.org in response. It received more than 1,300 signatures.

Friday’s rally is open to the public. The rally begins at Duffy Plaza with marches planned throughout the morning to Bell Hall, where the board of trustees will meet.