NSCS votes to quell library info major

The Nebraska State College System Board of Trustees voted March 15 to discontinue Chadron State’s library information management major, citing low enrollment numbers and lack of demand.

King Library’s Assistant Director Shawn Hartman said Tuesday that the all-online major will not be offered in the fall, but that elements
of it will be offered as a minor option for communication arts, English, and interdisciplinary studies students.

Hartman said it was common for education majors to use the course to become more marketable and that the online aspect allowed stay-at-home moms and non-traditional students to earn the degree.

Although Hartman is disappointed that the major will not be offered, she said she understands.

“The demand for the program was low,” she said.

Students currently majoring in library information management will be allowed to finish the program requirements, but no new students can take the program as a major, Hartman said.

The system’s trustees evaluate academic programs based upon third-party criteria that include graduation rates and the number of credit hours students in the program produce.

“Each academic major is analyzed using criteria and productivity thresholds established by the Nebraska Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education,” materials from the board’s March 15 meeting state. “The review includes consideration of student credit hours, headcount enrollment and related data annually generated in the department.”