By The Keystone Newspaper KU students made their voices heard as roughly 20 students attended the Council of Trustees meeting
By Katelynn Humbles
On Wednesday, March 13, in the President’s Room of the McFarland Student Union, KU students made their voices heard. At approximately 4:15 p.m., roughly 20 students attended the Council of Trustees meeting in an unprecedented show of opposition to the proposed elimination of the anthropology and cultural geography programs. Students and alumni delivered passionate speeches, voicing concerns about the impact of these cuts on academic diversity, student opportunities, and the university’s reputation.
Photo Credit: Katelynn Humbles
The university’s decision to place anthropology and cultural geography under a moratorium, along with merging several departments—including history, geography, anthropology, sociology, and modern languages—has sparked outrage among students, faculty, and alumni. Many worry that these changes will diminish access to courses, limit career preparation, and weaken the interdisciplinary education that KU prides itself on.
One of the student voices at the meeting was Linda Zúñiga, a senior majoring in anthropology and art history, who highlighted the real consequences of this restructuring.
“This is not just a restructuring; this will make it harder for these programs to survive in the future,” Zúñiga said. “Even if anthropology remains a minor, access to these classes will decrease significantly as faculty retire and replacements are not made. These departments will shrink, and future students will have even fewer opportunities to explore these vital disciplines.”
Zúñiga also pointed out the dramatic growth of the anthropology major, countering any claims that low enrollment was the reason behind the decision.
“The number of anthropology majors in spring 2023 went from 11 to 44. It is not fair to say this decision is being made in response to student interest,” she said. “At no point in the decision-making process were students consulted.”
In just a week, a petition calling for the reconsideration of the department merger and moratorium on anthropology and geography garnered over 657 signatures, demonstrating strong student and alumni support for these programs.
Alexander Darlington, a senior majoring in political science, initially attended the meeting as an observer but was inspired to speak after seeing the overwhelming support for the affected programs. He emphasized the importance of the humanities in fostering a strong sense of community and student satisfaction.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen such an attendance for an event like this,” Darlington said. “There’s no doubt that there’s a need for these majors in the field. The job market is there. For example, I know that the public administration major was taken away and reduced to a minor, which was disappointing considering how competitive the local government job market is.”
Darlington warned that focusing too much on quantitative data, rather than qualitative factors like student satisfaction and campus culture, could hurt KU’s long-term viability.
“A big part of student satisfaction is social capital, community development, and a sense of belonging,” he said. “Many of the events that create this sense of community, like cultural celebrations and academic discussions, are hosted by humanities programs. If the university continues to strip away these disciplines, it risks becoming more transactional and cold. That’s not the kind of institution students want to be a part of.”
Rachel Seifrit, an alumna of the anthropology and sociology program and current secretary for the department, spoke about the devastating effects of eliminating programs.
“When you receive a degree from a university, you want to tell people about it with pride,” she said. “But when you have to add, ‘Well, you can’t go there anymore because they got rid of my program,’ it feels like the degree you worked so hard for has lost its value.”
Seifrit praised the dedication of faculty members in the affected departments, noting that their commitment goes far beyond the classroom.
“These professors organize field schools, offer independent studies, and create accessible opportunities for students,” Rachel said. “They bring in guest speakers, host cultural events like Diwali celebrations, and truly enrich the academic experience. If we lose these programs, we lose more than just classes, we lose the people who make this university a dynamic and engaging place to learn.”
Levi Hart, a senior majoring in geography and English, spoke about the vital role that geography plays in today’s world.
“I came to Kutztown specifically to study geography as a transfer student,” Hart said. “Geography is critical in understanding spatial interactions, physical landscapes, and cultural dynamics. It’s an interdisciplinary field that prepares students for careers in geographic information systems (GIS), mapping, environmental science, and urban planning.”
Hart expressed concerns that merging geography with other departments could diminish research opportunities for students. “If geography is condensed into a larger department with history, sociology, and anthropology, the chances for students to conduct independent research and engage in fieldwork will be severely limited,” he said. “This would be a major loss, not just for geography majors but for the entire student body.”
Mr. Kevin Harden Jr., Vice Chairperson of the Council of Trustees, acknowledged the students’ passion and commitment to their education.
“When criticisms are made with compassion and organization, it shows the strength of this university community,” Harden said. “I will always fight for your right to call us out and demand the best for KU.”
However, he also defended the university’s decision, stating that these changes were made with the best interests of the students and the institution in mind. “These decisions are difficult, but they have been made with careful consideration,” Harden said. “We have asked hard questions, consulted experts, and tried to ensure that KU remains competitive. That said, nothing is final, and we appreciate the feedback we’ve received today.”
Despite Harden’s assurances, students remain unconvinced and are determined to continue advocating for the preservation of the anthropology and geography programs. The petition continues to gain signatures, and organizers are planning additional actions to pressure the administration to reconsider.
For many, this fight is about more than just preserving specific programs; it is about the future of KU as a place of diverse, interdisciplinary learning.
“This university cannot claim to prepare students for the future if it does not prioritize the very disciplines that help us understand the world,” Zúñiga said. “We are not just fighting for ourselves, we are fighting for the students who come after us.”
As KU moves forward with its academic restructuring, it remains to be seen whether student voices will be heard. But for many students, the fight for academic diversity is far from over.