UM Board of Trustees approves closure of 9 minors, 7 degree concentrations

Story By: Brayden George

MONTEVALLO, Ala. — The University of Montevallo Board of Trustees voted unanimously to approve the closure of a combined 16 concentrations and minors at their Friday, Feb. 13, meeting.

The initial review of minors began in 2025. Originally, 21 concentrations and minors were recommended for elimination, but following rebuttals from a number of those and a committee meeting on Thursday, only 16 concentrations and minors appeared on the agenda for Friday’s meeting.

Minors:

African American Studies
Cybersecurity
Economics
Latin American Studies
Management Information Systems
Non-profit Studies
Peace and Justice Studies
Philosophy and Religion
Professional Writing

Concentrations:

Family and Consumer Sciences BA/BS, Education
Family and Consumer Sciences BA/BS, Hospitality and Tourism
Family and Consumer Sciences BA/BS, Retail Merchandising
Finance BBA, Financial Sales
Music BM, Music Technology
Management BBA, Entrepreneurship
Management BBA, Human Resources

Trustees and all in attendance for the meetings were assured that students currently enrolled these concentrations and minors would be guaranteed a “teach out,” meaning students will be able to complete all hours necessary to earn recognition for the minor or concentration they are already enrolled in, despite the elimination.

Most, if not all, courses associated with the eliminated minors would still be offered in an on-rotation basis, according to Dr. Courtney Bentley, provost and executive vice president of academic affairs. She also noted that minors are handled internally by the university, allowing the possibility that some of these minors could one day return if demand returns and once finances stabilize.

Interim University President Dr. Terry Roberson spoke before the vote, pointing to the fact that universities from across the country are trending away from minors, in general, and moving toward certifications and microcredentials.

After deliberation, the Board of Trustees voted unanimously to close all the proposed concentrations and minors.

While there is a lot of pain and grief here, there’s a lot of grace here.
– Dr. Terry Roberson, Interim University President

Wesley Hallman, executive director of marketing and communications, said despite the closures of the minors and concentrations, the cuts will affect very few members of the faculty.

Changes to fees for the 2026-2027 academic year

During Friday’s meeting, the board also voted unanimously for a “modest increase” to fees for the 2026-2027 academic year. These fee increases will apply to:

Room Rates
Meal Plans
Reinstatement
Graduation
Late Registration
Academic Fees (Including a 10% program fee increase for graduate students)
Administrative Fees

Tuition rates, however, will not increase for the 2026-2027 academic year, after it raised tuition 3.5% last semester.

University Chief Financial Officer Dr. DeAnna Smith said the elimination of these 16 minors and concentrations plus the new fees will create a net gain of $800,000 for the university, which will allow for tuition rates to remain the same next year.

Dr. Roberson took time to thank each member of the board and those present at the meeting. He expressed great gratitude to the university for their patience and work with the board, saying, “While there is a lot of pain and grief here, there’s a lot of grace here.”