By ALLISON RUWALDT
NWOSU has decided to no longer offer a Spanish major option as a result of low enrollment numbers.
Over the summer, it was decided that because there had not been enough students enrolled and graduating in the Spanish major, the option would be removed. However, the campus still plans on offering a Spanish minor and continuing to offer Spanish courses.
The decision did not come easily, but the administration had been taking measures to prolong it for as long as they could. In previous years, they had tried to promote the major more, but ultimately there was not much they could do.
“There’s a system in place where you have a certain amount of time to course correct or make changes to try and increase the number of majors,” David Vaughn, the Chair of the English, Foreign Language and Humanities department, said. “We went through that process, and it just wasn’t happening, so they elected to cancel the Spanish major”
Losing the major also caused the campus to lose its Spanish professor. Those enrolled in Spanish classes this semester will have to wait until the Spring to complete their courses. Students seem to be disappointed in the change and concerned about how it will affect their classes and graduation schedules.
Ava Carr, a senior at NWOSU who was a dual History and Spanish major, has been one of the most affected. Due to the way the Self Service program works, her dual major was not listed, and in her final semester at NWOSU, she was told the last Spanish classes she needed to graduate were canceled.
“When I met with Dr. Vaughn, he said there was gonna be no Spanish classes this semester,” said Carr. “I was like, but I’m supposed to graduate in December, and I only have two more credits.”
Carr spoke about how she met with Dr. Maier, the head of academics, to discuss her enrollment case. He was not informed that she was a double major and assumed she was minoring in Spanish. He suggested she wait until the Spring semester to complete the classes, but then he was informed about her true situation and began working on other options for her.
“There’s that side of it, where it’s like, what do you mean my classes are canceled I didn’t know. What’s this gonna mean,” said Carr. “But like the other side is that Dr. Vest dropped off the face of the Earth, and I’ve been taking Spanish classes with him for four years, and now he’s just gone?”
Students expressed frustration about the way they were informed about the change. Carr said that she was informed only ten days before the semester began by an email, saying the class was canceled, but there were no details about the situation. Many students felt hurt by this because of the positive effect that the former Spanish professor had on them.
“It is ridiculous how they handled it,” said Andrea Rosas, a junior at NWOSU. “ There needs to be better student- professor communication.”
Carr spoke positively about how Robert Vest, the former Spanish professor, would often teach classes even for just one student if he or she needed it. He would also do court interpreting for those who did not speak English. Losing him not only impacts the campus, but the community.
The staff is also concerned about the changes and their effect on a well-rounded education. Without the Spanish program, the campus offers no foreign languages. This disadvantages language and arts programs, as well as those who may work with Spanish-speaking people someday.
“I think I’m a little concerned because it causes a disruption in the liberal arts curriculum,” said Vaughn. “Foreign language is an essential part of a good liberal arts education.”
The administration is working to get Spanish classes started for those enrolled and shares the concern about the students’ education. Though this was not a choice they wanted to make, they are working with students to ensure they are not disadvantaged.
“We’re aware that this is a concern; we’re aware that it did cause a disruption for students,” said Vaughn. “But we are taking steps as quickly as we can to remedy the situation.”