The 21st Century University: No hard sciences?

Although federal budget cuts to science has received some press, something far more damaging has been occurring much more quietly.

State Universities, which tend to be almost 2/3 less expensive than private colleges on average, are being forced to cut or combine science departments due to state budget constraints. Why would they cut hard sciences such as Physics or Chemistry? The reason given is that these departments tend to have lower graduation rates than other departments.

So there you have it. State Universities are cutting science departments because they are unpopular. What could possibly be the flaw in that thinking? The Antiscience is in full swing.

http://www.aps.org/publications/apsnews/201012/budgetcuts.cfm

"They've terminated both physics and chemistry, along with a couple of other programs at the end of the spring semester," said Paul Withey, the head of the physics and chemistry department.

Other articles on the subject of cutting hard sciences from state universities

http://www.rapidcityjournal.com/news/article_8a60dfee-3d3c-11df-97f5-001cc4c002e0.html

http://www.tennessean.com/article/20110625/OPINION03/306250017/Program-cuts-harm-higher-education-in-Tennessee