The email began with the word “Colleagues” and quickly transitioned into something other than collegial.
“I am writing to notify the faculty and staff in Black Studies, Philosophy, and Technical Communication, that following the completion of an unsuccessful three-year low award process, a decision has been made to administratively deactivate these majors effective immediately.”
The Black Studies program, which is an interdisciplinary Bachelor of Arts degree program offered at Kennesaw State University, has fallen victim to recent Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) cuts. The current presidential administration has been in office for just over 100 days and has made DEI cuts a priority. From cutting hundreds of roles at federal agencies to an ongoing public fight with Harvard University over the institution’s DEI policies and admission practices, the Trump administration, in many ways, has set the tone for many other institutions, including universities and major businesses.
Staff in the Black Studies, Philosophy, and Technical Communication departments recently received word of the closure from Dr. Catherine Kaukinen, the Dr. Norman J. Radow Endowed Dean’s Chair of the Humanities and Social Sciences and Dean of the Norman J. Radow College of Humanities and Social Sciences (RCHSS).
“I will continue to support all faculty and staff in these programs in their continued commitment to RCHSS, KSU, and all our students,” Kaukinen wrote.
The notification was signed “Katie”, Kaukinen’s nickname.
The email and subsequent responses from staff members were provided to The Atlanta Voice from an anonymous source. Several conversations with this source further validated the deactivation of the Black Studies program and the others.
“Why are they stripping the students of their voice,” the anonymous source told The Atlanta Voice about the Black students that are currently majoring in Black Studies. “The timing is very, very off. It’s not right.”
Documents from the university’s program deactivation resolution were shared with The Atlanta Voice. The deactivation of the programs is being disputed by members of the staff as being in violation of the resolution that was passed by the RCHSS Curriculum Committee in April 2024.
Kennesaw State University’s student population is 25% Black, according to data from Data USA, a public U.S. government data site. That is roughly 10,762 of 43,190 students.
There is a plan in place to set up a “2-year teach-in plan” for the existing students in all three majors to “ensure they can complete their programs of study,” according to the email.
The reason given for the deactivation is being dressed up as an institution of higher education doing what it has to do to get the most of its “limited resources,” according to the email. The email continued to break down how the Black Studies program, along with the others, are victims of low enrollment, and having recently gone through “another three-year program improvement process” are now no longer needed at the university.
The Black Studies program at Kennesaw State University has existed for 20 years.
The faculty and staff associated with all three programs will keep their jobs, according to the email.
The Atlanta Voice reached out to Kaukinen for comment. Tammy DeMel, Assistant Vice President, Strategic Communications at Kennesaw State University responded with the following email acknowledging the deactivation of the programs:
Kennesaw State University has decided to deactivate three low-producing majors in accordance with the University System of Georgia’s established thresholds. While the Black Studies, Philosophy and Technical Communication programs have all consistently fallen short in enrollment and degree output over at least the past 10 years, a two-year teach-out plan will still allow current students to complete their degrees. Faculty will also continue offering courses in these areas for minors, electives and general education. KSU, as always, remains committed to prioritizing student success and timely degree completion.