Five Myths About Academic Program Portfolio Review

Declines in enrollment and revenues, in some cases exacerbated by COVID-19 and in others a perennial issue, have forced many colleges and universities to take a hard look at their academic cost structure. One increasingly common approach is to review the relative performance of academic programs with the goal of determining which programs are likely to drive future enrollment growth and which may no longer be a priority for the institution. Such program prioritization conversations inevitably create tensions across campus as faculty worry that their department, their major, or even their jobs may be impacted. While there is no single right way to make these difficult decisions, there are a few common mistakes that should be avoided if you decide to undertake such a process.