VSU has recently unveiled their plans for the future of the university in VSU2030, a strategic plan for updating the school’s programs and campus priorities. One of the strongest points of the change belongs to the graduate program, where there have been promises of new growth to benefit both students and staff.  

VSU2030 is the name of the upcoming strategic plan for the school to follow to increase student population growth and retention. The plan was unveiled in August, with four different overall goals that include the planned steps the university intends to take to reach them.  

One of the major focuses of this plan is on the graduate program section. Changes have already taken place on campus; most notably, several academic programs and degree paths were deactivated in 2023. 

According to Becky da Cruz, Associate Provost for Graduate Studies and Research for VSU, says this is a good thing. 

“At the graduate level, the programs that have been deactivated or are in the process of being deactivated are very low enrolled programs,” da Cruz said. “It is not a statement that these programs are not valuable, it is not a statement that they are programs that have not been teaching great skills to students… Because we’re looking at student demand, they just weren’t nearly as strong for those.” 

Programs that are low enrolled also have a second chance at life with this program; instead of removing an entire course of study, there are some programs that will be added to others. For example, ESOL was added to foreign languages rather than deactivated and the public history certificate was aligned to library information sciences. 

The reason behind these changes, according to the department, is to create an environment where students are given the opportunity to pursue what they want. The first step is to cut programs without many students to give those resources to programs that need them. 

“If we can take the resources that we have in those areas and redirect it into developing programs that are much more attractive to students, that are much more marketable, that will get students to advance their careers after they graduate, that’s what we’ve wanted to do,” da Cruz said.  This is the first academic year that these changes have been implemented and as fewer programs start to be offered, there have been fears surrounding the programs being cut. In 2023, an impromptu memorial was assembled near Nevins Hall, with flowers provided in “mourning” for the programs that had been deactivated. 

Many students and staff find themselves skeptical about the changes for the program, fearing the worst with what programs are offered, or if a cut program will force students to find a new school to finish their degree. 

According to da Cruz, this is not the case. 

“Any students in any one of the programs that’s being deactivated are being taught out,” da Cruz said. “No student is being left in the lurch, it’s not where today we say the program’s being deactivated, tomorrow you have to find a different program. Students are welcome to switch programs, but they are permitted to remain in the program until they graduate, we’ve just stopped accepting new students into those programs.” 

There is also a clause in the plan where there are intentions to reactivate or consolidate programs are in place if it is profitable and in demand for the school. 

The school has been working with Ruffalo Noel Levitz, an enrollment management company, for the past year to deep dive into the programs to see what is in demand and pushing to offer programs that students want. As the USG has been requiring colleges to go through their programs and either deactivate or reinvigorate programs, this has been an opportunity to provide a priority check for programs being offered. 

“It’s pushing us to make sure we’re offering programs that are marketable, that are in demand, that students want,” da Cruz said. “It was an opportunity for us to take a good look at what we’ve been offering and see if they’re the right programs, if they’re in demand both by employers and students.” 

Amidst the changes the strategic plan is promising, one of the most important goals is to maintain student relations and make sure those participating in the graduate program still feel connected to the campus, whether online or on campus. 

“We realize that it’s tough to feel like part of the university when you’re in an online program, and so we look for ways to make them feel like part of the campus culture,” da Cruz said. “We started newsletters to be in communication, we have our Association of Graduate Students organization, and their primary foci is to do professional development training with them, and to do social events including all of our online students.” 

VSU2030 is an ambitious plan to refresh and refocus the university, and for graduates, this is no exception. This plan promises a better future, though the results have yet to be determined. 

Written by Bailey Wilson, Managing Editor. Photos courtesy of TPNL.