This semester, students across all disciplines may notice some minor adjustments to their major

requirements. These changes come on the heels of a broader initiative launched by Saint

Anselm College last year, aimed at making substantial budgetary reductions. This process is

intended to provide the College with greater financial flexibility to pursue new opportunities in

the constantly evolving realm of higher education.

Dr. Stephen Shea, Chair of the Mathematics Department and President of the Faculty Senate,

elaborated on the reasoning behind these changes, stating, “we are attempting to revise the

core in a way that better tells our story as a Benedictine, liberal arts institution.” This mission is

crucial to the college’s identity, with an emphasis on balancing tradition with progress. By

implementing these necessary cuts– equaling over $2 million and projected to save $5 million

in total– Saint Anselm College aims to avoid much more drastic measures that have been taken

by other institutions across the country.

As financial pressures mount in higher education, which impact small, specifically liberal

arts colleges hard, many institutions have had to make difficult decisions. For instance, the

University of New Hampshire, located in Durham, NH, was forced to terminate 75

faculty and staff positions over a 45-day period, sending shockwaves throughout the academic

community. Likewise, the University of Lynchburg in Lynchburg, VA, has announced plans to cut

80 faculty and staff members over the next three years to stabilize their finances. 

Out west, the California State University System begins this academic year with a daunting $230

million deficit, leaving students and faculty alike concerned about sweeping changes within the next few

years. Saint Anselm, however, has not only avoided these outcomes but has persevered

despite facing similar financial concerns. This fall, the Hilltop welcomed dozens of new faculty

and staff, and five professors are the focus of tenure review, underscoring the college’s

commitment to academic excellence even amid economic challenges.

While these budgetary reductions are not expected to affect employment decisions for faculty

and staff, students will most likely encounter a number of noteworthy changes to their core

curriculum requirements. Currently, the Faculty Senate is still in the process of determining the

scope of these adjustments, aiming to ensure that Saint Anselm maintains its rigorous academic

standards while preparing students for a rapidly changing world. 

According to Dr. Sheila Liotta, Vice President for Academic Affairs, “students will have a new set of

graduation requirements to fulfill, and faculty will have new courses to teach or approaches to employ

as we seek to maintain our core identity while making sure we provide students with an engaging and

valuable educational experience.” The changes to the curriculum are intended to keep Saint Anselm’s

Offerings dynamic and aligned with the liberal arts education that students need to thrive after

graduation.

Most of these curriculum changes are slated to go into effect by Fall 2026, but some have

already been implemented. Most notable among them is the introduction of the Pathways and

Perspectives course, an alternative to the college’s traditional first-year Conversatio program.

The new course, which is being piloted this semester, represents a fresh approach to the

Anselmian learning experience. Dr. Liotta continued, “by looking at the core curriculum instead

of individual majors, the intent was to spread the effects of change broadly,” emphasizing that

the adjustments are designed to affect the entire student body, not just those in specific

programs or disciplines. However, Dr. Liotta also acknowledged that, “the specific impact on

particular programs remains to be determined.”

While many students and faculty watch with uncertainty as the curriculum shifts, it is important

to note that the essence of Saint Anselm College– what made most of us choose to attend

here– remains unchanged. The Benedictine values that the college was founded on continue to

guide its mission and, even as the academic landscape shifts, the deep Benedictine love that

Saint Anselm is known for remains the Hilltop’s sturdy foundation.