UMaine to End Spanish Master's, Suspend Medical Lab Degree

Cuts follow elimination of 10 other programs across University of Maine System

Mar. 13, 2026 at 10:09pm

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The University of Maine Faculty Senate voted to eliminate the master's degree in teaching Spanish and suspend the bachelor's degree in medical laboratory sciences. These changes, which still need approval from the University of Maine System Board of Trustees, come amid broader budget challenges and a strategic planning process at the university.

Why it matters

The proposed program cuts reflect broader enrollment and budget pressures facing the University of Maine System, which has already eliminated 10 other academic programs over the past fiscal year. The changes highlight the difficult decisions universities must make to align their academic offerings with student demand and financial realities.

The details

The Faculty Senate voted to eliminate the master's degree in teaching Spanish, which was the only such program in the University of Maine System, due to low enrollment. They also voted to suspend the bachelor's degree in medical laboratory sciences, which has not been enrolling students for several years. No faculty positions will be eliminated as a result of these changes.

  • The Faculty Senate voted on the program changes on Wednesday, March 13, 2026.
  • The changes will next go to the provost and UMaine's president for review and endorsement.
  • The University of Maine System Board of Trustees will likely discuss the issue at its next full meeting in May 2026.

The players

Mary Jean Sedlock

A faculty senate member who co-chairs the Program Creation and Reorganization Review Committee, which reviews proposals to cut, reorganize or add academic programs.

Emily Haddad

The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Dean, who said the decision to eliminate the Spanish master's degree was "appropriate" due to low enrollment.

Carlos Villacorta-Gonzales

The department chair for modern languages and classics, who declined to comment.

Joan Ferrini-Mundy

The University of Maine President, who announced budget cuts including fewer than 10 staff layoffs to address an $18 million budget shortfall.

Samantha Warren

A University of Maine System spokesperson, who said each university has procedures for proposing program changes, which are typically started by faculty.

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What they’re saying

“It's unfortunate for the reasons that were articulated at the senate meeting, but it's also an appropriate decision based on the demand for the program.”

— Emily Haddad, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Dean (bangordailynews.com)

“Each university in the system has procedures for proposing new or revised programs, including eliminating programs 'for which there is no longer sufficient demand to sustain.' These types of changes are typically started by faculty.”

— Samantha Warren, University of Maine System Spokesperson (bangordailynews.com)

What’s next

The proposed program changes will next go to the provost and UMaine's president for review and endorsement, followed by review by the chancellor and ultimately approval or denial by the University of Maine System Board of Trustees at their next full meeting in May 2026.

The takeaway

The proposed cuts to the Spanish master's and medical laboratory sciences bachelor's degrees at the University of Maine reflect the difficult decisions universities must make to align their academic offerings with student demand and financial realities, as the system faces broader enrollment and budget pressures.