University of Toledo ends programs because of SB1

Applying to College
1

I wasn’t sure where to put this, but noticed today that University of Toledo put out a statement cancelling many programs because of Ohio’s SB1 legislation. There was one that surprised me - philosophy. The legislation requires that if there are less than 5 degrees granted over any three-year period, that the program needs to be shutdown. Philosophy had 20 degrees granted in 2023 per College Navigator, so not sure why that would get cut.

Mods, if this belongs in the politics forum, then please feel free to move it.

2 Likes
2

These are the bachelor’s degree programs listed as being eliminated for SB1 reasons (recent degrees from College Navigator in parentheses):

  • Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Africana Studies (not listed)
  • Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Asian Studies (not listed)
  • Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Data Analytics (4)
  • Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Disability Studies (5)
  • Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Middle East Studies (1)
  • Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Philosophy (20)
  • Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Religious Studies (2)
  • Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Spanish (5)
  • Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Women’s and Gender Studies (2)

Other bachelor’s degree programs listed as being eliminated:

  • Bachelor of Business Administration (B.B.A.) in Organizational Leadership and Management (6)
  • Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Health Information Administration (5)
1 Like
3

Here are details of what’s in SB1:

https://ohiocapitaljournal.com/2025/03/20/senate-bill-1-guts-academic-freedom-and-reshapes-ohios-public-universities/

1 Like
4

Noting that part of the bill requires the schools eliminate any program with an annual average of fewer than five degrees conferred over a three-year period, from the ohio cap journal article posted above:

Elimination of small undergraduate degree programs. If an undergraduate degree program confers an average of fewer than five degrees annually over a three-year period, it must be eliminated. The first year of a program is not counted in the three-year averages.

5

Frankly, I think in recent 10-15 years there were way too many majors. Many of them do not guarantee employability. Nobody will suffer for having them as minor. For example, where would you look for a job with Bachelor in Women studies?

1 Like
6

No major/degree guarantees employability.

Plenty of options…including relatively high paying options like finance and consulting. I personally know a women and gender studies major working in finance (first job out of college.)

2 Likes
7

Well this is more like unusual. If a student never took any finance or accounting classes what are they going to do there?

8

I’m not sure what you are basing your info on. My D was a neuroscience major from an LAC who is working in investment banking, she never had a finance or accounting class.

You can PM me if you want since we are getting off topic here.

1 Like
9

I doubt that in a current economic environment that would be possible. So are you telling me that recently graduated Women’s study major has a better chance for employment than finance and accounting major for finance related jobs with 1000 applications per one position? I definitely missing something…

1 Like
10

I didn’t say that. I merely answered your question

and gave but one example of what one could do with a women and gender studies major.

1 Like
11

I concur 100%. I’m close to one particular IB’s recruiting pipeline because of some history there. Not only do they go out of their way to avoid taking nothing but business/econ/finance type majors, they put all of the new hires through a multi-week boot camp. They’re taught everything from finance to accounting to Excel modeling to global trade, currencies and interest rates, Series 7 (and 3 and 63 if/as needed), Black Scholes, etc. The expectation in this boot camp is that kids are starting more or less from scratch (and in fact, some kids from, ahem, certain undergrad ‘business’ schools wind up having to learn things the correct IRL way).

ETA: wanted to add that SB1 SUCKS. What a dreadful situation. Idiocracy in motion.

4 Likes
12

It seems like there could be some weird technicalities or specific requirements tied to this legislation that aren’t clear right away. Even though philosophy had 20 degrees in 2023, it might be that the university’s interpretation of the new law or budget considerations are influencing their decision.

13

A business wanting to market to everyone, including both women and men, but finds that its customer base is gender skewed for reasons not obvious to it, may find someone with knowledge of that subject useful.

A charitable, government, or health care organization who sees an unexplained lack of use by gender may also find someone with such knowledge useful.

1 Like