With spring semester schedules released and registration underway, students in suspended academic programs are figuring out how to move forward — both for the upcoming semester and beyond.
The suspended programs — computer science, cybersecurity, film, information systems, journalism and the Master of Arts in coaching and sports management — have left students reworking degree plans, managing course offerings and adapting to faculty changes as they prepare for the spring semester.
“It’s definitely been stressful trying to figure out what classes to take now that the journalism program’s been suspended,” said freshman journalism major Tessa Wilck. “A lot of courses I planned on aren’t being offered, so I’ve had to look for electives outside my major. I’m just hoping to stay on track with my credits while I figure out what’s next.”
Sophomore computer science major Ramsey Greenwell shared similar concerns. “There has been a lot of uncertainty created about the quality and availability of my remaining classes,” he said. “Although I can still graduate with a computer science degree, the loss of faculty support, resources and course options will likely impact my academic experience and future opportunities within the field.”
Both Wilck and Greenwell expressed concerns that extend beyond the upcoming semester, noting how the suspensions may affect their long-term academic paths and career preparation.
For sophomore computer science major Kyleigh Mousty, most of her spring schedule remains unchanged, though she said one of her professors plans to leave within the next year. “My advising was switched around due to many of the majors in my department being suspended, but most of my classes remain the same,” she said. “I know some people are looking at transferring because of the suspension, but it’s very few, if at all anymore.”
Mousty said that while finishing a semester in a suspended program feels “slightly discouraging,” she’s trying to stay optimistic. “Like many things in life, you just kinda have to roll with the punches,” she said. “The job market is constantly changing, and now, thanks to AI, a lot more of the entry-level positions for careers in several fields will no longer exist. Especially within computer science, most programming jobs will cease to exist as human-held positions within the next few years. The world is changing, and we as students have to learn to grow and change with it.”
As a fellow journalism major, my spring semester is focused on taking as many journalism classes as possible while they’re still available.
Academic Dean Dr. Rich Aubrey said the administration is actively helping students affected by the suspensions. “We have worked with faculty advisors to ensure that students affected by these changes are able to complete as many courses in their majors as possible this academic year. The advisors have made individualized plans for each impacted student to accomplish this goal. My office has only been directly involved in a few unique cases,” he said.
