Sophomore Christian Adams had originally planned to study Chinese at West Virginia University with aspirations of pursuing a career in labor or immigration law.
However, the university's decision to cut its world language department and other programs, including English, math, and music, due to a budget shortfall of $45 million, led Adams to switch his major to politics.
This unexpected change also notified him to become involved in community organizing, a role he never imagined he would engage in.
West Virginia University Makes Program Cuts in Response to Budget Deficit
The cuts, condemned by the American Federation of Teachers as "draconian and catastrophic," encouraged Adams to co-found The West Virginia United Students' Union, which appeared as a leading rival force against the cuts.
Through protests, petitions, and advocacy efforts, the union managed to save a few teaching positions, though ultimately, 143 faculty and 28 majors were eliminated.
Despite these setbacks, the union, mainly composed of first-generation college students and those getting financial aid, remains dedicated to promoting greater student involvement in university politics.
This movement mirrors a broader trend of student organizing across U.S. colleges and universities, addressing issues such as the affordability of higher education and access to various course offerings.
Financial difficulties, worsened by enrollment declines and pandemic-related revenue losses, have forced WVU to make severe cuts, specifically affecting foreign language programs.
The union disapproves of these cuts, debating that they contradict the university's mission as a land-grant institution, historically tasked with educating rural students.
As WVU continues to navigate its financial difficulties, the union plans to monitor budget decisions closely, oppose further cuts, and propose alternative solutions to preserve curriculum and faculty positions.
Additionally, the union aims to influence the selection of WVU's new president, emphasizing the importance of leadership that prioritizes the university's educational mission over corporate interests.
For Adams, a native of north central West Virginia and the first in his family to attend college, the cuts reaffirm his commitment to his state and his decision to remain at WVU despite the challenges.
Similarly, other students express disappointment and concern about the impact of the cuts on their education and prospects.
Student Union Dedicated to Guaranteeing Students Access to High-Quality Education
Despite these difficulties, the student union remains driven to advocate for students' interests and devote themselves to a more inclusive and equitable university environment.
Through cooperation with other campus organizations and strategic planning, they hope to effect meaningful change and ensure that all students have access to a high-quality education.
Student unions have been present globally for centuries. While they are commonly associated with providing on-campus facilities such as dining halls and organizing social events in the United States, in the United Kingdom, they serve as independent advocacy bodies lobbying at both institutional and national levels.
Members of the West Virginia United Students' Union aspire to model their organization after those in the U.K. and are actively working towards this goal.
This involves extensive behind-the-scenes efforts to keep students engaged and maintain relationships with other campus organizations, including the university workers' union and student government.
According to student Felicia Carrara, this collaborative work with the union has helped uplift student morale amidst faculty layoffs and curriculum changes.
Carrara, a double major in international studies and Russian studies from North Carolina, expressed disappointment at the prospect of having to seek additional financial aid to afford education elsewhere due to the budget cuts at West Virginia University.
Andrew Ross, a senior double majoring in German and political science, will be the final graduate majoring in German at the university.
Ross, a nontraditional student who transferred to WVU in 2022 after completing an associate's degree, described feeling blindsided by the proposed cuts, especially after participating in a summer program in Germany sponsored by a departmental scholarship.
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