Following Wheeling Jesuit University’s declaration of financial exigency last month, the Board of Trustees met to discern the way forward. Possible options included closing operations completely and the simplification of degree programs to enable another year. The university chose to suspend all programs except the following:
Nursing
Respiratory Therapy
Exercise Science
Education
Business
Criminal Justice
Psychology
Doctor of Physical Therapy
Master of Business Education
Master of Arts in Education
Master of Science in Nursing
President Michael P. Mihalyo Jr. recognized that this decision was not lightly made. Additionally, the university is not out of financial exigency. In a press release that included the announcement of the above degree programs, he noted that “President Mihalyo noted that “this means that our current challenges remain, and will continue to require leadership and a willingness to accept change.” Though not currently on the website, this message was emailed to the greater Wheeling Jesuit community.
This comes with great costs, however. Many faculty members, including those who are tenured, received notices that their contracts would not be renewed in the following year. The decision has many asking how Wheeling Jesuit will uphold its Jesuit Catholic identity in the years to come.
The cover photo is featured from the Wheeling Jesuit University Instagram account.