Marshall University’s board approved academic program changes as the West Virginia public institution enters fiscal deficit management. The university plans to cut seven programs and improve or expand five others, according to its regular program review cycle. The program changes follow a state mandate from the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission requiring colleges to review programs at least once every five years for demand, student outcomes, and delivery costs. Marshall tied the restructuring to an estimated $10.2 million deficit for fiscal 2026 and improving conditions expected to bring the deficit below $3 million next year. Marshall said it would discontinue programs only after currently enrolled students complete degrees and paired restructuring with a campus investment plan funded by state resources for deferred maintenance. For higher education leaders, the case illustrates how state accountability rules translate into concrete curricular reductions and reallocation decisions, with implications for enrollment pipelines and workforce-aligned programming.