In late October, Youngstown State University officials announced that approximately 25 programs will be eliminated from the university's curriculum. 

The proposed elimination was announced after YSU it the lowest enrollment numbers in years, with student enrollment declining 11 percent since 2018.

WFMJ.com will live stream a podcast about the proposed elimination of the academic programs, which will be hosted by veteran Youngstown journalist Bertram de Souza.

Joining de Souza in the podcast will be Dr. Mark Vopat, professor of philosophy and co-director of The Dr. James Dale Ethics Center, and spokesman for the faculty union, YSU-OEA; and Dr. Martha Pallante, former dean of the former College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences.

The hour-long podcast begins at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 10, and can be viewed on WFMJ.com, on de Souza's Scribbler Group Facebook page, and YouTube channel. Viewers will have the opportunity to submit questions and comments via email at scribblerpod@gmail.com or on de Souza's social media platforms.

Administration officials have been invited to participate in a subsequent broadcast.

The programs that have been proposed for elimination include Medical Lab Technology at the Associate's Level - to Manufacturing Engineering at the Bachelor's Level to Art Education at the Master's Level.

According to university officials, the programs will be removed after current students complete their courses. 
Associate's Level:
 
  • Electric Utility Technology
  • Medical Laboratory Technology
  • Emergency Medical Services
  • Dietetic Technician
  • Computer Information Systems
  • Medical Assisting Technology
  • Drafting and Design Technology
  • Social Services Technology
 

Bachelor's Level:

  • Gerontology
  • Italian Education
  • Italian
  • Manufacturing Engineering
  • Religious Studies
  • Music Theory
  • Music History and Literature
  • Family and Consumer Studies
  • Computer Information Systems
  • Dance Management
  • French
  • Art History
 

Masters Level: 

  • Music History and Literature
  • Art Education
  • American Studies
  • Interdisciplinary Visual Arts
  • Gerontology
  • Creative Writing
 

The University will move most of the faculty involved in those programs into other places, but there will also be some layoffs. It is expected that fewer than 20 faculty members will be cut, although they will have the opportunity to contest the layoffs, take a buyout, or switch departments.