Provost to deliver decisions on programs ‘slated for closure’ this month
SU’s academic portfolio review and the status of 18 paused A&S majors will be finalized later this month, a university spokesperson said. Deans were provided enrollment trends and course data to make recommendations. Tara Deluca | Asst. Photo Editor
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Syracuse University’s academic portfolio review is in its final stages, an SU spokesperson confirmed Wednesday.
Provost and Vice Chancellor Lois Agnew has reviewed the recommendations of college and school deans, who will communicate outcomes to the “affected programs” later this month, the spokesperson said. As part of the portfolio review, SU paused admission to 18 majors in the College of Arts and Sciences in September 2025.
“We are finalizing the outcomes of the Academic Portfolio Review in close consultation with the deans,” the spokesperson said. “More on program specific decisions will be shared with the affected programs and the broader campus community in the coming weeks.”
Students currently enrolled in programs “slated for closure or paused enrollment” will be able to complete their degrees, the spokesperson said. However, beginning in fall 2026, incoming students will not be able to enroll in programs “placed in pause or closure categories.”
Agnew announced in August 2025 that deans would reevaluate their respective programs, degrees and majors throughout the fall semester. Deans were provided “detailed data,” including enrollment trends, course data and faculty information, to inform their recommendations.
At a University Senate meeting on Jan. 21, Agnew announced the deadline for deans to submit their portfolio reviews would be extended to Jan. 23. Agnew initially set the deadline for the end of the fall 2025 semester.
As of December 2025, these are the Arts and Science majors for which enrollment was paused:
- African American Studies
- Applied Mathematics B.A.
- Chemistry B.A.
- Classical Civilization
- Classics (Greek and Latin)
- Digital Humanities
- Fine Arts
- French and Francophone Studies
- German Language, Literature, and Culture B.A.
- History of Architecture
- Italian Language, Literature, and Culture B.A.
- Latino-Latin American Studies
- Middle Eastern Studies
- Modern Jewish Studies
- Music History and Cultures
- Religion
- Russian Language, Literature, and Culture B.A.
- Statistics B.A.
Students, faculty and alumni have expressed confusion, frustration and uncertainty in the months following the initial announcement of the paused majors. Many said they were unsure how programs were being evaluated or when final decisions would be communicated.
“Deans provided multiple opportunities for community input through meetings, surveys, and other engagements consistent with our commitment to shared governance,” the spokesperson said. “Program directors had ample opportunities to contribute to the process.”
The deans will deliver the outcomes of their respective programs this month, per the spokesperson. They did not provide a specific timeline for the rest of the portfolio review.
