University of Minnesota Duluth students protest after university cuts deaf studies program

This week, students at the University of Minnesota-Duluth are protesting moves by the administration to abruptly end the university’s deaf studies program.

The university has offered the minor since 2008. A change.org petition has received over 7,000 signatures as of Wednesday.

To learn more about the impact on students, MPR News host Tom Crann spoke with Anneliese Wanninger, president of UMD’s American Sign Language Club.

MPR News reached out to UMD for comment. The university said the minor has 56 declared students, and 27 of those are finished with the requirements.

In an email to students, the university said, “Any currently enrolled student will be provided a pathway to complete their program at UMD within a reasonable amount of time.”

UMD will hold an open forum Thursday to answer student questions.

Press play above to listen to the full conversation.

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