WIU trustees eliminate 4 degree programs in unanimous vote

MOLINE, Ill. (AP) - Trustees at Western Illinois University have voted to eliminate African American studies, women's studies and two other degree programs due to poor enrollment and low graduation rates.

The McDonough County Voice in Macomb reports the board's vote on Friday at a meeting in Moline was unanimous.

The university will allow students to minor in the eliminated program areas, which include philosophy and religious studies.

Western's registrar's office says no degrees in African-American studies, two degrees in philosophy, two degrees in women's studies and one degree in religious studies were conferred in May.

The trustees' vote follows a recommendation by provost and academic vice president Kathy Neumann and a study by a program elimination committee.

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Information from: The McDonough County (Ill.) Voice, http://www.mcdonoughvoice.com