BOWLING GREEN, Ohio — Bowling Green State University is eliminating a popular program as a cost cutting measure. This will be the school's last semester offering the classes.
The university announced they will be cutting their American Sign Language program due to "cost cutting" reasons, BGSU faculty confirmed Thursday.
ASL is not currently required for any program, but many students choose it for their foreign language option. ASL is also offered as a minor.
As for students who are halfway through the program, instructors say they're not sure what to tell them.
"The decision to eliminate the ASL classes and minor, while difficult, will not delay students in progressing to graduation," BGSU said in a statement released Friday.
The university told staff earlier this week that they are eliminating part-time adjuncts in an effort to have less part-time employees due to cost cutting reasons.
"While the ASL language courses were very popular options for many students, these classes were not required for any degree within the College of Education and Human Development," BGSU said in the statement.
Kyle Parke, a deaf instructor at BGSU, says removing the program is a direct reflection on the university itself.
"As a staff, it's disappointment to hear that we value diversity and inclusion here at BGSU, we're here for the greater public good, but moving ASL doesn't seem to be in line with that," said Parke.
Rebecca Sidders, another ASL faculty member, agreed.
"BGSU is supposed to be a public university for the public good. To that end, the ASL program supports diversity and inclusion on multiple levels. It teaches students the importance of deaf culture, champions accessibility through teaching about language and communication equality, and employs several professionals who are deaf or hard of hearing themselves.
"Additionally the ASL minor was created to offer students across campus, in any major, the opportunity to integrate ASL and deaf culture into their own areas of study. This unique program impacts students in criminal justice, speech pathology, education, the arts...the possibilities are limitless.
"Our students leave our classes with with far more than ASL proficiency, but an invaluable understanding of diversity and belonging. Language is crucial to human connection. Many students come to our program not realizing that language does not equate to spoken communication. They leave our classes understanding how to combat audist behavior [discrimination based on hearing status] in their communities and future workplaces. That, in our opinion, is the epitome of 'public good'," said Sidders.
As of Friday afternoon, more than 11,500 people have signed the change.org petition to keep ASL classes at BGSU.
Many who signed the petition commented on how life-changing ASL is, the benefit for many professions and the importance of being able to communicate with the deaf and hard of hearing community.
"BGSU’s Falcon Creed reads in part, 'I promote diversity, respect, and a culture of INCLUSION.' How is this decision in the best interest of Falcons? Especially those Falcons desiring and striving to be servant leaders. BEGGING THE QUESTION... How is this decision to cut ASL inclusive?" writes petition supporter Andrea Kuchta.
"I took ASL in undergrad and it changed the way I look at everything!" reads a comment by Shelby Stoneman.
BGSU's statement goes on to read, in part, "In response to budget restrictions and additional teaching responsibilities for our faculty as a result of the global pandemic, Bowling Green State University made the difficult decision to eliminate the American Sign Language (ASL) classes and 21-credit minor. We realize that this was a disproportional impact to the deaf community and the sense of belonging that was developed with the addition of the program."
The university adds that they are exploring other ways for students to have access to ASL courses and to continue to support the deaf community at BGSU.
BGSU's full statement can be read at this link.