On March 31, students and staff at UMD were notified via e-mail that the University would no longer offer it’s Deaf Studies minor program “effective immediately”, citing budget concerns.

After numerous questions and concerns raised by those involved in the program, the University followed up, stating that enrollment for the minor for the fall semester had been suspended, but those currently enrolled would be “provided a pathway to complete their program at UMD within a reasonable amount of time.”

The following week, students responded – beyond the emails and questions sent to administration. On April 7, well over 100 students, staff, and members of the deaf community showed up to protest the decision.

Students rallied in several spots around campus, holding signs urging the program be saved. Several said they felt blindsided by the sudden announcement.

“Oh my gosh, I’m angry, I’m disappointed,” said Todd, a deaf UMD alum who spoke with WDIO through an interpreter, “I feel, you know, that I can’t understand it. It’s an insult to me too as a person who’s grown up here.”

Current students feel similarly, like Deaf Studies minor Sydney Wilson.

“I kind of didn’t know what to think because it was really jarring. So I was really upset. I was kind of angry because there’s been a lot going on in the world right now. And it’s just another thing on top of it.”

Sydney, who grew up hard of hearing, says she’s enjoyed learning more about American Sign Language (ASL), as well as the broader deaf community.

“It’s just a language for everyone to communicate. And it’s a good language to learn. It’s a good culture to learn. Not a lot of people know about the culture. And you never know when you’re going to run into someone who won’t be able to hear you.”

In a further update given hours after the protest, the University clarified that it will offer courses over the next three years for students who have already declared as Deaf Studies minors to finish their programs, and say they will be hosting an open forum to listen to student concerns in person.