West Virginia University faces backlash over cuts to languages program

West Virginia University's recent announcement to eliminate 32 majors, including many in the languages program, has sparked widespread criticism. The university claims that declining enrollments and financial constraints drove this decision, but critics argue that liberal arts and languages are often targeted for cuts in favor of more vocationally-oriented programs. The move has generated significant outcry from faculty, students, and organizations such as the Modern Language Association and the American Federation of Teachers. While the university has since modified its original proposal to retain instruction in Spanish and Chinese, concerns remain about the impact on language education and the value of liberal arts in higher education.