Montevallo University Hits Pause on Sports Cuts After Student Outcry

Montevallo University has decided to hit the brakes on cutting its swimming and tennis programs. This came after a heartfelt plea from student athletes who were left in tears. The university is still dealing with an $8 million budget shortfall, but they've decided to rethink their plans for now. The swim team found out about the potential cuts just days before a big competition. Athletes shared their disappointment and frustration, feeling like they were left in the dark. One junior, Tabitha Nalepa, even mentioned that the interim president had given her the impression that their program was safe. She said the president had praised the team for their good grades, the money they bring in, and their community involvement. The swimming program is running at a loss of $30, 000 a year. Part of the problem is the pool's condition, which needs a half-million-dollar repair. The team has been traveling to Birmingham for practice. Despite the financial struggles, the athletes' emotional appeal made the board reconsider. They decided to table the decision until May.Meanwhile, the university is moving forward with other changes. They've decided to cut nine minors and seven concentrations that aren't performing well. Current students can still finish these programs without any issues. Some of the minors being cut include African-American studies, cybersecurity, and philosophy and religion. The concentrations cut range from family and consumer sciences to entrepreneurship management. The board also looked into the number of students in these programs. They found that the completion rates after three years were quite low, ranging from zero to four students. Maxine Morgan, the coordinator for African-American studies, pointed out that their minor is new and the current 10 students aren't included in the three-year data.