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Professor: Humanities Courses Will be the First Casualties of UW Cuts

UW Professor's Facebook Post On Budget Cuts Goes Viral

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A central Wisconsin professor’s Facebook prediction that humanities courses will be the first casualties of University of Wisconsin System budget cuts has gone viral.

Kelly Wilz is a tenured professor at UW-Marshfield/Wood County. When a course she taught in women’s and gender studies was cut at nearby UW-Stevens Point, she posted her reaction on Facebook:

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The post went viral, with more than 1,000 shares in just a few days.

“We see so much of a push for courses that translate directly into jobs, and so I deeply fear that humanities courses will be the first to be on the chopping block everywhere,” said Wilz.

Wilz said faculty members are demoralized.

“It’s just so demoralizing and so sad. What else is next? I think a lot of them are worried for their jobs. Seeing what’s happening to Stevens Point, seeing what’s happening to my state, it breaks my heart,” she said.

UW-Stevens Point may eliminate 115 positions under the proposed cuts.