MILWAUKEE — Alverno College’s board of trustees has declared a financial exigency, the college confirmed Friday afternoon.

The board also approved a “restructuring plan” that will cut programs in addition to faculty and staff positions. 

In Alverno College’s faculty handbook, financial exigency is defined as an “imminent financial crisis that threatens the survival of the institution as a whole.” However, in a statement issued Friday, the college called the declaration “a proactive measure to restore financial stability and secure Alverno College’s financial future.”

“While these are times that present headwinds for Alverno and other higher education institutions in Wisconsin, we believe declaring financial exigency will ultimately position Alverno College for a more financially sustainable future,” said Kathy Hudson, chair of the board of trustees at Alverno College. “We remain dedicated to providing students a transformational education experience.”

The board also approved a restructuring of Alverno’s academic programs. Alverno College currently offers 43 majors for undergraduate students; under the new structure, it will offer 29.

The following undergraduate programs are being discontinued:

• Cosmetic Science
• Creative Arts in Practice
• Education: Secondary
• English
• Environmental Freshwater Science
• Environmental Science
• Health Education
• History
• Mathematics
• Mathematics/Computer Science
• Media Design
• Molecular Biology
• Public Health: Policy and Advocacy
• Religious Studies
• Spanish for the Professions

Current undergraduate students will be able to complete their academic programs, even if they have been discontinued. However, Alverno College will no longer accept new students into those programs.

Additionally, the college currently offers 25 graduate programs but under the new structure will offer 19 graduate programs.

The following graduate programs are being discontinued:

• Master of Arts in Music and Liturgy (MAML)
• Master of Music Therapy (MMT)

The following graduate programs are being paused:

• Master of Business Administration (MBA)
• Master of Science in Nursing: Adult-Gerontology Acute Care (AGACNP)
• Master of Science in Nursing: Adult-Gerontology Primary Care (AGPCNP)
• Master of Science in Nursing: Dual Adult-Gerontology Primary and Acute Care
• Post-Master of Science in Nursing: Adult-Gerontology Acute Care (AGACNP)
• Post-Master of Science in Nursing: Adult-Gerontology Primary Care (AGPCNP)
• Post-Master of Science in Nursing: Dual Adult-Gerontology Primary and Acute Care
• Master of Social Work (MSW)

Alverno College said 25 graduate students will be impacted by these changes. The college said it is “pursuing teach-out arrangements with other academic institutions that will allow for graduate studies completion.”

Alverno College said it will also end its track and field program.

Alverno College said it will “reduce” 25 full-time faculty positions and 12 full-time staff positions.

It will also “combine and restructure” department in an attempt to increase efficiency.

“These are difficult decisions to make, and we regret the impact these cuts will have on our colleagues; however, these actions are necessary as we forge a path forward that safeguards Alverno’s survival, preserves our accreditation, and retains our academic integrity,” said Christy Brown, president of Alverno College. “Moving forward, we will continue to invest in areas of growth and educational innovation identified by our community of dedicated faculty and staff, modernizing operational systems, and enhancing the student experience.”

Alverno College — a four-year independent Catholic college for women — said about 70% of its incoming undergraduate students are first-generation college students. Nearly all of its full-time students receive scholarship or financial aid. About 60% of its students “represent racially or ethnically diverse groups.” As of 2023, 70% of its graduates lived and worked in the Badger State.

“We see the value and potential of these women to Milwaukee’s economic and social well-being. This is why the long-term sustainability of Alverno is imperative to our region,” Brown explained. “We know overcoming these financial challenges will not be easy, but we will work tirelessly to minimize the impact on our Alverno community while ensuring our educational mission remains intact.”

Students, faculty, staff and the wider Alverno community can learn more about the changes, here. 

CORRECTION: A previous version of this story misstated how many undergraduate programs are being cut. This has been corrected. (June 14, 2024)