Letters on PSU’s Plan to Slash Humanities

To the Editor:

The financial crisis at PSU is imminent and important to correct, but why take away such an integral part of this school’s community? There are ways of financial planning other than terminating faculty that have supported the students for years, some 20+. I am wondering what constitutes the 10 million dollar renovation on Hyde Hall this past year instead of funding for the Humanities programs. This administration would like to turn Plymouth State University, the school founded on honor and creativity, into an all-business school while sugar coating their disregard for the Humanities.

We all had a requirement for our General Education called Tackling a Wicked Problem where we learned about systematic problems like climate change, mental health, and human trafficking and were tasked to find solutions. If I knew that Plymouth State University was going to be a part of the teacher shortage, lack of creative arts, and glorifying business overall, I would have never enrolled in this institute. Funding is a pitiful excuse to cut the creativity and diversity in this school. We are in a time of social regression where the rights of human beings are being infringed on, and we are just supposed to accept this school’s complacency?

In my three years enrolled at PSU, I have had an amazing time. I have made friends for life, connected myself to my studies, and found advisors in professors I never thought I would, but that would not be the case without the Humanities. The discredit and blatant disrespect to people’s education this school shows and is going to make PSU the laughingstock of the college realm, I am embarrassed to be associated with that.

If this change is final, I hope the dedicated students in the Humanities, Communications and Media Studies, Theater, Arts, and Political science majors and minors will be able to finish their desired degree as that is the sole reason those students spend their time, money, and life working for. I also hope the first year and second year students, the ones who were marketed a school that is a 180 turnaround from what the school actually is, will be able to find an institution with more respect for their knowledge and determination than the one that is failing them.  

With anger and disappointment,

Bridget Tauro

Psychology and Social Work

Class of 2026 

To the Editor:

What a disappointment and disservice to the students and faculty who have worked tirelessly throughout the years to build and complete their degrees. Not only is this proposal absurd, but it would eliminate the majors we need most with the current state of our world. Higher education is not merely about career training- it is about cultivating well-rounded, informed individuals. 

Cutting the humanities would strip away valuable learning opportunities, shifting Plymouth State University away from its role as a center for higher education and making it more like a narrowly focused trade school. How can this institution pride itself on offering a “comprehensive education” while dismantling core humanities departments that foster critical thinking, communication, and analytical skills? President Birx claims changes need to be made, but this decision will only hurt the financial status of this university. If they are concerned about enrollment dropping, they are in for a rude awakening when those numbers triple, not to mention the students who would transfer if this plan became solidified. 

As someone who once praised this university, I am now embarrassed to be associated with an institution that disregards the very faculty and students who have shaped its legacy. A school that does not respect its hardworking community does not deserve our loyalty.

Sincerely,

Jessica Karspeck

Class of 2026

To the Editor:

I am one of many that is disappointed by the news that the humanities department will be defunded. The one silver lining is that there are so many people that care. I’ve seen more than a dozen people repost the Clock’s story, just like they have before, and as someone who feels a familial connection with Plymouth (since it is about 10 miles from where I grew up), it comforts me knowing that so many people care about the wellbeing of the students here.

I’ve watched a progression of events that bothered me over the last few months. First, I heard rumors that the school was going bankrupt. My first thought was that this was unfortunate, but the events that follow will determine the character of this school’s administration.  Then, the news that some clubs would receive no funding came, and people were outraged about this and for good reason. Finally, there is this news. I was disappointed originally, but the optimism from the President about an “integrated humanities department” was a slap in the face. At the absolute least, I think that the President should be apologizing for needing to do this.

One thing I remember from Intro to Marketing and Sales with Prof. Russell was the story of Barry-Wehmiller. This is a manufacturing company that was facing bankruptcy in 2008, and instead of laying off numerous employees, they implemented a program in which all employees needed to take four weeks of unpaid vacation. His quote was, “It’s better that we should all suffer a little than any of us should have to suffer a lot.” I get that Plymouth State’s situation is very different. Obviously, many professors can’t just take four weeks of unpaid vacation, they have to teach their students throughout the term. However, this story shows that there are ways to curtail bankruptcy that are not immediate layoffs. I think the administration of Plymouth State needs to get creative and come up with a plan, anything to keep the humanities department the way it is. This would serve the double purpose (in addition to saving money from not laying people off) of increasing the morale of the students here, and perhaps a new reputation would spark enrollment from students who care about improving this school and maintaining a good reputation. 

Thanks for reading,

Jacob Benton

Class of 2027

To the Editor:

My name is Julien Davis and I am an alumni from the class of 2022. I write to express my immense disappointment and opposition regarding the administration’s plan to cut funding for arts and humanities. 

As a student at PSU, I studied political science, a subject that falls squarely within the humanities department on the chopping block. I was fortunate to earn my education through the teachings of several faculty members with different backgrounds and perspectives on the various topics we discussed in class. It is because of this diversity of perspective that I have a well-rounded understanding of both domestic and foreign political relations. Without having those different perspectives to draw from, I would be a far less critical thinker and I would have been far less prepared to engage in my studies at Northeastern University School of Law.

President Donald Birx’s plan to cut these programs is, to be frank, a cowardly capitulation to the fascist whims of the Trump administration. This kind of cowardice will make it much easier for the federal administration to achieve its Hitlerite education agenda, as Birx is demonstrating his willingness to bend the knee before he’s even been confronted with a real ultimatum. Right now, it is more important than ever before that powerful figures in education stand strong against the federal Department of Education to protect students and preserve the educational integrity of the University. Instead, these administrators (who are the very reason tuition has increased exponentially year after year) have waived the white flag, surrendering at the expense of thirty or more faculty who depend on PSU for employment, and generations of students to come.

As an alumni who has nearly earned a law degree and plans to work for prominent public interest organizations, I will use my voice to viciously oppose these cuts. Not only do I pledge to never donate to PSU if these budget cuts pass, I also pledge to inform other alumni of this news and encourage them to not to donate. I will publicly denounce the University and encourage anyone I know who is considering PSU for themselves or their children to not engage with the University in any capacity. I will seek out local news outlets to publicly denounce Donald Birx and call out his allegiance to the far-right takeover of the federal DOE.

One final word: Donald Birx, do your job and stand up for your students.

Best,

Julien Davis

Class of 2022

To the Editor:

My name is Jonathan Picard, and I am a student of the class of 2027 here at Plymouth State University. I recently heard in the most recent article of The Clock, that Plymouth State is planning to cut budgeting for several Arts and Humanities programs and lay-off 30+ faculty and staff by 2026. I am writing this to plainly express my extreme displeasure and anger with these cuts. With the state of New Hampshire already considering cutting arts and history programs from a requirement from high school graduation, I am beyond words at how frustrated and enraged I am with the idea of Plymouth State joining this movement and axing these programs at this institution. 

It’s mentioned in the article posted on The Clock that “we have a great program in interdisciplinary studies that gives us the opportunity to think about how we bring these disciplines together to create a new concept we might call the integrated liberal arts,” which is also an excerpt from one of President Birx’s monthly reports to faculty and staff. Further in the article, the programs that would be affected by these changes are listed and they are as follows: English, Communications and Media Studies, Art, Theater, Political Science, and History. President Birx says in his report that we have a great program referred to at Interdisciplinary Studies. 

I happen to be a student in IDS, and I would like to tell you which programs are included in my course contract which I created and are necessary and required for me to receive my degree from Plymouth State: English, Communications and Media, and Theatre. You talk about how great the IDS program is and how students are able to create their own programs more fine tuned to their career paths. I would like to know how you plan to encourage students to major in Interdisciplinary Studies when you are defunding these programs, half of which are specific to my field of study and are required for me to graduate. 

How am I expected to pay thousands of dollars to you and this school and earn a degree when you are removing the programs that I need to even get that degree in the first place? You talk about this liberal arts program yet you are killing these programs that are essential to liberal arts. You are going to affect the lives of hundreds of students here on campus, take away the chance for them to get a degree and move into their career field, all just to save yourselves a couple of bucks. You’re worried about declining enrollment and your plan to get more students to come is to defund programs and fire more than 30 of your employees? I would like you to tell me how that in any way makes sense. If you’re so worried about students not coming to Plymouth State anymore, you could start investing in not just these programs, but other programs. 

You could improve the quality of life for your students by renovating dorms, making them more livable and attractive spaces. You could give clubs and organizations the funds you promised they would have, making them more attractive to potential students who want to be able to socialize with others. Instead of improving upon what already exists here at Plymouth State, and what could be appealing to potential students, you’re instead choosing to destroy it and remove options for those students and ruin the careers of all your students who are currently enrolled. I understand the concern around declining enrollments, but you shouldn’t sacrifice the lives of your current students for the lives of students that could be. 

If you do move forward with this new budget, I will drop out of Plymouth State and you will never see another cent from me for as long as I live, and I am certain that there are other students who will be doing the same if you continue with this plan. This is not the way to make Plymouth State a better school, it’s a plan to kill the school.

Jonathan Picard

IDS

To the Editor:

I am writing to introduce myself and provide some personal perspective. My name is Jacobi Staples-Christian, but you may know me as Cobi. I am a freshman at Plymouth State University, pursuing a degree in political science.

As a political science major, I am deeply concerned about the current state of affairs in our country. I recently read the post recently published by your organization (The Clock) suggesting that my field of study may be at risk of diminishing. This news has left me feeling uncertain about my personal future specifically regarding the future of my education.

The situation we are facing is deeply troubling. It feels like we are under attack, and many innocent people are being affected. We need more people to be educated in politics so that we can help to contribute to a better society and ultimately a better political future than the current state of politics.

To say that I am enraged that my future with this political science degree may be compromised is an understatement. Sure, there are many opportunities at other universities, but that is not the point. I chose this university because it held personal significance for me. It is close to home. It was where my late best friend once considered attending. It is where I believe I could feel loved and accepted because there are so many enriching programs on our campus that foster a sense of belonging and provide a platform for individuals to express their voices.

These events have left me feeling overwhelmed and uncertain about my future. I am concerned about the future of my education and the future of our country. I am contemplating my options and exploring alternative paths forward.

Jacobi Staples-Christian

Class of 2028