DE PERE, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — Anticipating a budget deficit, St. Norbert College is considering cutting numerous programs and making additional faculty reductions.
That idea isn’t settling well for students and alumni.
“There’s this piece of me that wonders if all this money that has been invested in buildings, these beautiful big new buildings, and making these new facilities, could’ve been more wisely invested,” said Trina Scholer, a St. Norbert College alumnus.
The potential cuts St. Norbert College is weighing come less than a year after the college’s second round of layoffs since September 2023.
“On the student side, and the teacher side, to be honest, morale has been really low,” said St. Norbert College senior Derrik Lieding.
Aside from further faculty layoffs, the college is also considering the elimination of 13 majors. Those are:
Art Education
Chemistry
Computer Science
Earth Science/Geology
French
History
International Studies
Mathematics
Physics
Engineering Physics
Theatre Studies
Theology & Religious Studies
Psychology Education
Students on campus Wednesday say a town hall was held for students Tuesday night. However, they said they left with more questions than answers, as they remain concerned about what these potential cuts could mean for the future.
“I love St. Norbert, I care about St. Norbert. I’ve lived in Green Bay my whole life,” said St. Norbert senior Paige Daul. “I’ve always thought about going to St. Norbert and it’s really unfortunate to see such a great institution be overrun by these like budget cuts, or being treated like a business instead of a school. Education is not the highest priority right now, it’s money.”
St. Norbert is going through a process called “retrenchment,” which the college says gives them the authority to terminate faculty for financial reasons and/or program discontinuation. The college is predicting a nearly $7 million budget deficit for the 2026 fiscal year.
In an email sent to the St. Norbert College community, St. Norbert College President Laurie Joyner said in part:
As we move forward, I ask for your continued engagement and trust. Together, we are strengthening the foundation of our institution, enabling St. Norbert College to thrive in a rapidly changing higher education space and world.
“The school promises the same level of education, but without the teachers and the specialties they provide, there’s no way you can get the same level of education with just less teachers,” said Lieding.
If any programs are cut by St. Norbert, students currently enrolled in those majors will be able to complete their degree.
The college says there’s currently no timeline on when a final decision could be made on both faculty cuts or program eliminations.
Joyner’s full letter is below.
Dear St. Norbert College Community,
As we welcome 2025, I am encouraged by the spirit of collaboration and commitment to the common good that defines our journey together.
What we accomplished last year, with your active participation, is a source of confidence in our ability to manage the challenges ahead. Our collective efforts have resulted in required budget adjustments of nearly $12 million, a necessary step to ensure the stability and strength of the College.The “Preserving the St. Norbert Legacy: A Shared Promise of Stewardship” is built around institutional priorities of mission radiance, educational quality, student success, operational excellence, and financial sustainability. This approach has facilitated considerable progress in advancing our mission while addressing under-reported financial challenges in 2024.
To see more about what we accomplished last year, click here.
The retrenchment process, declared by the Board of Trustees last year, is an essential step to ensure academic excellence and the long-term financial strength of St. Norbert College. This process involves a strategic review of our programs and operations with a focus on preserving our core traditions: Catholic, Norbertine, and liberal arts. We are unwavering in our commitment to our mission which is why every student will still be required to take courses across a broad range of disciplines spanning the humanities, arts, natural sciences, and social sciences.
Looking back on 2024, we can take pride in the thoughtful and deliberate steps taken to evolve and to ensure the College remains affordable and that our majors reflect the shifting interests and needs of students. I am grateful for the recommendations of our faculty governance groups to eliminate some low-enrolled programs. During this transitional period, SNC will remain student-centered, ensuring all current students are supported to finish their programs while we are adjusting to their preferences and the realities of today’s workforce.
I am also grateful for faculty leadership in introducing new, high-demand programs that will be made possible through innovative partnerships. This means that students will have greater access to majors they want while still experiencing the broad liberal arts foundation that is so important to help them discover their passion and discern their purpose.
We balanced the FY24 budget and are projecting a balanced FY25 budget. Still, Business and Finance projects a nearly $7 million budget deficit in FY26. As a result, Dr. Valerie Martin Conley, the College’s Vice President overseeing Academic Affairs, has been collaborating with deans and faculty governance groups to review academic programs and develop recommendations for potential program elimination as well as discuss the criteria to be used in potential faculty termination recommendations. Other areas of the College are also working together to make significant reductions as well.
The path before us is difficult, but we are steadfast in continuing to collaborate with our faculty governance groups and adhering to the processes outlined in the Faculty Handbook. This includes a minimum 10-month notice or equivalent severance for our faculty colleagues. As a community, we have embraced these challenges together ensuring that fairness and respect are central to every decision we make. I understand that concerns and uncertainties arise, and I want to assure you that we are navigating this path with the utmost care and consideration.
As part of our commitment to transparency, my leadership team and I continue to host town hall gatherings for faculty, staff, and students. These opportunities provide a platform for open dialogue and mutual understanding about the complex decisions facing our community. We are hosting town halls for faculty, staff, students, alums (virtual), and parents (virtual) this week. If you are interested in attending, rsvp here.
As we move forward, I ask for your continued engagement and trust. Together, we are strengthening the foundation of our institution, enabling St. Norbert College to thrive in a rapidly changing higher education space and world.
Thank you for your dedication to our shared mission. Please help advance our efforts by:
supporting the St. Norbert Fund
endowing mission-critical positions
recruiting prospective students
offering internship opportunities for students and
hiring SNC graduates
We are grateful for each one of you. It is your faith in our mission that inspires and sustains us.
With gratitude and optimism,
Laurie M. Joyner, Ph.D.
President
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