Thank you, Conni. Students will lose not only me (no great loss in the larger scheme) but lose the opportunity to study Greek and Latin languages, history, literature, culture, etc. As well as philosophy, as well as participate in drama. And for what? So that we can produce more computer programmers and accountants?

Lord knows we need computer programmers and accountants--and doctors, scientists, and engineers--but I would prefer all those professionals have more developed skills in communication, critical analysis, historical perspective, ethical evaluation, and all sorts of other things that may not appear on a job description, but add to job performance and to one's quality of life. It's true that students have become more vocationally focused, and I don't fault them for that, but I am deeply sorry that my university will jettison its defining characteristic in order to chase enrollment and student demand. I'm sorry that we feel that we have to. But that's where we are.

Thank you so much for reading and responding, my friend. All the best to you.