Crisis in Humanities Education: Protests and Restructuring at U.S. Universities

In January 2026, students at Montclair State University in New Jersey organized a mock funeral to protest the administration's plan to restructure the College of Humanities and Social Sciences. The demonstration featured a tombstone inscribed with the names of the college's 15 departments, including English and sociology. Miranda Kawiecki, a junior and protest organizer, expressed concerns about the diminishing value placed on humanities, stating, “I have dreams that cannot be monetized.” This protest reflects broader anxieties about the future of humanities programs across the United States, as many universities face similar pressures to consolidate or cut academic offerings.

The Guardian

The crisis in humanities education is not isolated to Montclair State. In Indiana, legislation has mandated public universities to cut or consolidate approximately 400 academic programs, predominantly in the humanities and social sciences. The University of Texas at Austin anticipates cuts to ethnic and regional studies, while the University of North Carolina plans to close six centers focused on geographical area studies. The University of Chicago has paused graduate admissions for most humanities programs, and over 9,000 higher education jobs were eliminated last year, according to Inside Higher Ed.

The Guardian

Critics attribute the decline of humanities programs to long-term disinvestment in public education and political pressures, particularly during the Trump administration, which cut billions in federal research funding. The shift towards corporatization in higher education has led to a focus on market-driven metrics, sidelining the intrinsic value of humanistic education. Montclair State's administration described its restructuring as a “strategic effort” to enhance student success, but faculty members argue it undermines their control over curricula.

The Guardian

Historically, humanistic education has aimed to foster critical thinking and ethical reasoning. However, as access to higher education expanded throughout the 20th century, backlash emerged against public investment in education, with critics viewing it as a waste of resources. Eric Hayot, a professor at Penn State University, noted a long-standing attack on the concept of public higher education that emphasizes holistic development over job training. The rise of politicized culture wars has intensified scrutiny of disciplines like race and gender studies, further complicating the landscape for humanities programs.

The Guardian

At Portland State University, the administration cited an $18 million budget deficit as justification for laying off faculty members from the liberal arts college. The university has engaged Gray Decision Intelligence to assess academic programs based on demand and financial viability. Faculty members have criticized this approach, arguing that it fails to capture the qualitative value of a liberal arts education. Bill Knight, a professor at Portland State, expressed concern over the hasty decisions being made, warning that once programs are cut, they are difficult to reinstate.

The Guardian

As universities across the nation grapple with budgetary constraints and shifting educational priorities, the fate of humanities programs remains uncertain. The ongoing protests and restructuring efforts highlight a critical moment for higher education, where the value of humanistic learning is increasingly questioned. Bill Knight cautioned, “It’s tragic because it’s hard to get these things back when they’re cut.” The implications of these changes could reshape the landscape of higher education for generations to come.

The Guardian