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N.C. A&T's liberal arts program was recently informed it would lose its foreign language department due to low enrollment and productivity.
The decision came after a UNC system-mandated review of productivity. From 2008 to 2010 the program had graduated only nine students in Spanish and French.
N.C. Central University's department of modern foreign languages is one of the smallest under the liberal arts umbrella; however, the department is holding on.
According to Marco Hernandez-Cuevas, NCCU's department of modern foreign languages graduated on average 6-12 Spanish and French majors per year from 2008 – 2011.
This leaves NCCU's modern foreign language department in better shape, according to Carlton Wilson, dean of the college of liberal arts.
Wilson said that NCCU's foreign language department has a stable number of students enrolled.
"The modern foreign language department is doing quite well," said Hernandez-Cuevas, chair of the department, adding that that he wants to get more of the curriculum online.
"We are currently working on creating a hybrid program for our department," Hernandez-Cuevas said.
Universities usually cut programs because of low productivity — few graduates — or because the major no longer fits into the University's broader vision.
According to Wilson, NCCU, not the UNC system, decides whether to cut programs.
"It is a campus decision and our program is strong and not at risk," he said.
According to the CIA World Fact Book, more than four-fifths of the world's population does not speak English as its primary language.
Language experts say there are many good reasons to learn a foreign language: it increases global understanding; it improves employment opportunities at home and abroad; it sharpens a broad set of cognitive and analytic skills; and it increases one's understanding of self and one's culture.
Alejandra Castillo, a freshman studying Spanish, said NCCU's foreign languages program was good, but that she'd like to see it more involved with community events. "With this degree, I will be able to find a job, because there are so many Hispanics in the area," Castillo said.
The modern foreign languages department is one of several departments that the college of liberal arts oversees.
Others include English and mass communication, theatre/drama, history, and art. The college also oversees the Army ROTC and aerospace studies.
In all, 750 students are enrolled in liberal arts at NCCU.
In 2010-2011, a total of 144 liberal arts majors received degrees.
The college is strongly tied with University College because so many freshmen and sophomores must complete liberal arts courses, such as English composition, before heading off into their majors.
"Many students enroll as undecided in University College," said Wilson, adding that students who do not decide on a major automatically receive a liberal arts adviser.
"Liberal arts is at the core of the University," said Wilson.
"It connects to other programs on campus like the School of Business, BRITE and School of Education."
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