Wittenberg University to Cut 5 Majors, 40 Employees

Ohio-based Wittenberg University is moving to cut faculty, staff and programs as it tries to stem operating losses, according to a Friday message from university President Michael Frandsen. The private liberal arts institution’s board passed a resolution to eliminate 24 full time-equivalent faculty roles — six fewer than previously planned — and 45 staff positions. In all, about 40 faculty and staff members will be let go, while the other eliminations come from leaving open jobs unfilled, according to Frandsen’s message. Additionally, Wittenberg plans to nix five majors and their corresponding minors from its offerings: music, music education, German, Spanish and East Asian studies. The university is also cutting a minor in Chinese. The programs will be eliminated after the current academic year, Frandsen noted.