Story By: Walker Payne

MONTEVALLO, Ala. — The University of Montevallo will soon begin to evaluate all majors and athletic programs in another round of internal reviews as it seeks to stabilize its finances.

According to an email from Wesley Hallman, Executive Director of University Marketing & Communications, further recommendations for program reviews were presented to the Executive Cabinet and Interim President Dr. Terry Roberson following the Board of Trustees meeting in February.

“The University of Montevallo is in the defining stage of a campus-wide revitalization that began in spring 2025,” Hallman said. “While much work has been done across campus during the past year, critical decisions remain to improve the University’s financial position in this transition that will impact the UM community for years to come.”

Hallman says the review of Montevallo’s majors and athletics are being conducted to create “more effective and modernized institutional operations, future-focused academic and athletic programs, and most importantly, a stronger campus overall.”

Specific key metrics being looked at include credit hours, retention and graduation rates, tuition, and enrollment numbers, according to Hallman.

Signing up for classes and especially declaring a major or minor is how students can show that they want a program to continue.
– Dr. Alex Beringer, Faculty Senate President

Faculty Senate President Dr. Alex Beringer said in an email that he anticipates the next phase of reviews to focus more heavily on finding areas the university can improve internally.

“Enrollment numbers really are what drive the finances of a university,” Dr. Beringer said. “There’s that old saying, ‘they vote with their feet,’ and so signing up for classes and especially declaring a major or minor is how students can show that they want a program to continue.”

Despite the current state of uncertainty, Hallman assures that UM will continue to provide support to all currently enrolled students.

Further, he states that the changes being made are a commitment to ensuring a better future for the students and the institution.

All students currently enrolled in a given program will be allowed to complete their declared major, minor, or concentration, and Hallman says the university will utilize all institutional resources to continue supporting the student body.

“Students who have currently declared a program, minor or concentration will be able to complete their degree at UM with their program, minor or concentration regardless of where [they are] on their academic journey,” Hallman stated.

Hallman expressed that the university will also provide assistance to student-athletes impacted by potential closures, saying guidance will be offered to those interested in transitioning to another institution in order to continue competing in their athletic programs.

The Board of Trustees will vote on the future of both the swimming and the tennis programs at their May 1st meeting.