(AURN News) — Colleges are cutting Black studies programs, majors, classes and staff, The Washington Post reported.
At least 12 schools have scaled back Black, African or African American studies since President Donald Trump signed an executive order aimed at diversity programs.
The University of Iowa, the University of Texas at Austin and the University of Kansas have closed or merged Black studies programs.
The University of Toledo and Indiana University have ended or begun phasing out Black studies degrees and majors.
The cuts come amid low enrollment in some Black studies programs and broader financial pressures at colleges.
For three years in a row, fewer than 700 African American studies degrees were awarded nationwide, the lowest level in 20 years.
At the University of Iowa, only nine students were enrolled in the major when the school ended it.
Supporters say politics is driving many of the cuts, while others point to low student interest, tight budgets, new state laws and reduced funding.
Click play to listen to the AURN News report from Clay Cane. Follow @claycane & @aurnonline for more.
