Purdue students in the Agricultural Sciences Education and Communication department were notified of the department’s imminent dissolution shortly after returning for the spring semester. By June, the department will be nonexistent.
Housing the agricultural education major and the agricultural communication major, the ASEC department was cut in compliance with Indiana Code 21-18-9-10.5, according to Glenn W. Sample Dean of Agriculture Bernie Engel.
“If you look at the state required numbers, that was the real challenge,” he shared. The amended legislation requires Indiana educational institutions to revisit smaller programs and develop a plan to restructure or terminate them. Purdue has moved to dissolve the ASEC department and terminate the ag communication major. The ag education major will continue in the College of Agriculture.
No other cuts
The seemingly abrupt termination of the ASEC department raised concerns about other ag departments and programs that could be at risk of closure. However, Engel reassured folks that there are no other pending cuts at this time. On a positive note, he shared that there are large numbers of students applying for animal science programs…