Citing lack of majors, Washington State U. closing its Department of Community and Rural Sociology

Washington State University is closing its Department of Community and Rural Sociology, as planned, because there are no students majoring in the subject, and making other rural-related cuts, Nicholas Geranios of The Associated Press reports, citing an advance copy of a news release from the school in Pullman (Encarta map). The department is known for its research, teaching and extension work.

The WSU College of Agricultural, Human and Natural Resource Sciences "will consolidate some majors and eliminate the international marketing program for farm products," AP reports. "The Cooperative Extension program will close all nine of its learning centers across the state and will make other staff cuts."

WSU is also eliminating its theater and dance departments and the German major because of state budget cuts. "But the sports management program, which had been slated for elimination, will be retained," Geranios reports. (Read more)