JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Fine arts students at Jacksonville University are continuing to take action this upcoming week as they protest recent program cuts made by the university.
On Tuesday, students plan to gather near the dolphin statues on campus to express their frustrations over the university’s decisions that have left nearly 40 faculty members without a job and some students without a major.
JU recently revealed last week that the cuts will save about $10 million and reduce controllable expenses by 10% across all operations by Fall 2025.
According to JU, these cuts are part of a strategy to “reimagine its academic offerings to propel student success and academic excellence, meet market needs, and create long-term financial sustainability.”
Jacksonville University President Tim Cost stated that each student affected by the cuts will be offered a full-tuition scholarship for the duration of their time at the university.
“I think it’s important to know...for what you see coming,” Cost said.
In response to the cuts, students held a protest on campus, demonstrating their outrage at the elimination of the music department and the removal of several programs, including Philosophy, World Languages, Theatre Arts, Glass Concentration, Arts History, and Visual Arts MFA Programs.
Videos from the protest showed students cheering in support of faculty members as they exited the J. Gouding Building during a staff meeting.
One student, Theo Austell, expressed his frustration at the time, saying, “It’s frustrating...just gone overnight.”
