As we first touched upon yesterday, Emory University quietly announced the elimination of several academic programs last Friday.

Over the weekend, those affected by the pending cuts — including faculty and students from the Educational Studies, Journalism, Physical Education, and Visual Arts undergraduate departments as well as the Economics, Institute of Liberal Arts, and Spanish graduate programs — have started to organize in response to Emory's "new direction."

According to initial statements, the proposed cuts include sweeping changes ultimately "designed to enhance areas of distinction" and "allocate resources to invest in important new and emerging growth areas." Emory College Dean Robin Forman first revealed the new course of action during a Faculty Town Hall last week, stating that many of these forthcoming changes will occur over a several-year period. Beyond that, however, the shuttering of these programs caught many off guard.

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