Boise State to Merge Colleges, Close One

University announces major restructuring plan amid budget pressures

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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Boise State University has announced a major restructuring plan that will merge two of its colleges and close down a third college. The details of the plan, including how many positions will be cut and how much money the university expects to save, are still unclear.

Why it matters

The restructuring at Boise State is part of a broader trend in higher education of universities having to make tough decisions around budgets, programs, and staffing in response to declining enrollment and funding challenges. This move by Boise State could serve as a model for other institutions facing similar pressures.

The details

Under the plan, Boise State will merge its College of Arts and Sciences and College of Social Sciences and Public Affairs into a single college. Additionally, the university will close its College of Innovation and Design. The interim president and provost cited the need to 'strengthen our university for the future' as the rationale behind the changes, though specifics around cost savings and job cuts have not been provided.

  • Boise State announced the restructuring plan on March 4, 2026.

The players

Jeremiah Shinn

Interim President of Boise State University.

Zeynep Hansen

Interim Provost of Boise State University.

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What they’re saying

“While we understand that change can be challenging—and our campus has experienced a lot of it—we are confident that these changes will strengthen our university for the future.”

— Jeremiah Shinn and Zeynep Hansen, Interim President and Interim Provost of Boise State University (Idaho Education News)

What’s next

The university has not provided a timeline for when the mergers and closures will be implemented, but it is expected that further details will be announced in the coming weeks and months.

The takeaway

Boise State's restructuring is a sign of the difficult decisions facing many universities as they grapple with budget pressures and enrollment challenges. The move to consolidate colleges and eliminate programs could become more common across higher education as institutions seek to streamline operations and cut costs.