Emerson College in Boston is grappling with a significant decline in incoming freshmen for Fall 2024, which President Jay Bernhardt attributes to various factors, including recent anti-Israel protests on campus. In an internal communication, Bernhardt acknowledged that the protests, along with delays in enrollment deposits and negative media attention, have contributed to the enrollment shortfall.
“We want to share with our community that the size of our incoming first-year class for Fall 2024 is significantly below what we had hoped,” Bernhardt stated, outlining the challenges the college is now facing.
As a result of the decreased enrollment and subsequent revenue loss, Emerson College plans to implement staff layoffs and budget cuts. Tuition for the upcoming academic year is set at $55,200, with additional costs for room and board exceeding $20,000.
“We will be scaling back staff and faculty searches for the next academic year and conducting a thorough review of our programs and offerings to identify potential savings,” the college administration announced. “Unfortunately, this will also necessitate the elimination of some staff positions, both vacant and filled, and possibly a reduction in faculty positions.”
Earlier this year, Emerson College witnessed intense anti-Israel protests that resulted in confrontations with law enforcement and numerous arrests. The protests, which included encampments on campus, drew national attention and generated substantial controversy.
President Bernhardt previously commented on the protests, recognizing the activism behind them while expressing concerns about ordinance violations and their impact on the college community.
In response to the president’s handling of the protests, Emerson’s Student Government Association criticized his approach, emphasizing the need for more empathetic and supportive communication with affected students.
Emerson College continues to navigate the fallout from these events as it prepares for the upcoming academic year amid financial challenges and heightened campus tensions.
How about instead of cutting and cheating the students, you take a stand to support Israel🇮🇱❤️
Joan
Right on!! I totally agree. Besides the cost is outrageous. Seems one could do just as well in a less expensive college.
Careful what you ask for. I believe the federal government should stop all federal funds that allow students to racially protest. I think it is really great folks are loosing their jobs. The sad thing is it not the leadership that looses there jobs it is the worker bees that actually get dirty, the ones that do the real work. Heck those prices are stupid, send you kid to trade school. My bad, trade school folks will pay off rich kids student loans.