Students push back with protest against planned program and faculty cuts at West Virginia University

By LEAH WILLINGHAM and JOHN RABY
Associated Press

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (AP) — West Virginia University students are staging a walkout to protest the proposed elimination of academic programs while showing support for faculty and staff whose jobs are being targeted. Separate midday rallies were organized Monday by the West Virginia United Students’ Union. Organizers want to halt the university’s planned reductions, seek an independent audit of its finances and reduced administrative spending. They’re also calling for increased spending by the state in higher education. The university is addressing a $45 million budget shortfall. Earlier this month, it recommended the elimination of 9% of the majors and 7% of the total faculty in Morgantown.