Some language instructors, however, said they have doubts that the courses will be able to replace traditional programs Cornell eliminated through budget cuts.

Nearly a year after the United States Department of Education slashed funding for “critical language programs,” the federal government has indicated that it will only continue to cut funding. The University has not yet found a way to continue to fund these 11 language programs beyond a one-year provisional basis. One option the University is considering is to offer some of these languages through collaborations with other universities. This option strikes a good compromise between keeping costs low while maintaining the breadth of curriculum Cornell is known for. 

Nearly a year after the Department of Education slashed funding for “critical language” programs, University administrators say they have not determined how to support the 11 departments affected by the cuts and warn that additional, upcoming DOE cuts could endanger additional language programs.

Students will continue to receive instruction in these languages this year after Provost Kent Fuchs decided in June that his office would temporarily provide 90-percent of the languages’ lost funding. Beyond that, however, the future of the program looks bleak.