Cornell announced recently that the Dutch and Swedish programs will continue next academic year. 

Let’s cut right to the chase: The decision to cut the Swedish and Dutch programs from Cornell was a terrible one.

In case you’ve been living under a rock, Cornell’s Department of German Studies decided earlier this year to cut the Swedish and Dutch language programs to save some cash. Being that I am of Swedish descent, this was a mildly insulting and upsetting development. But beyond that, it seemed to be the dumbest decision Cornell has made in my time here — and I say that without exaggeration.

The traditional Swedish lawn game of kubb, complimentary apples and cookies, and Swedish music on the Arts Quad yesterday helped spark dialogue among faculty and students regarding the Dutch and Swedish programs, which are slated for termination by the end of this academic year.

The University has recently terminated on-campus instruction in Dutch, Swedish and Turkish, as well as an English as a Second Language writing course titled English for Academic Purposes. Given President Skorton’s March 26 comments advocating cautiousness when eliminating programs that attract new students, these cuts denote nothing less than a broken promise.

Lately, many staff cuts have been justified as necessary to insulate students’ academic options from the repercussions of the budget crunch, but these course cuts suggest otherwise. Although staff and program reductions are inevitable, by first announcing that jobs were sacrificed for the sake of academics, and then watching courses get cut wholesale, makes us skeptical.

To the Editor:

Re: “Future Turkish Classes Available Only on Video,” News, April 15.

This is the first in a two-part series which focuses on Cornell's decision to phase out smaller language programs in an attempt to reduce the University's budget.

“I would found an institution where any person can find instruction in any study.” Will Ezra Cornell’s famous motto be able to weather the current economic crisis? With the decision to terminate the Swedish and Dutch language programs by the summer of 2010, Cornell’s pledge may be under siege by a worldwide recession and a daunting budget shortfall on campus.