Marshall University’s board approved a new set of academic program changes, cutting seven programs and improving or expanding five others as part of West Virginia’s mandated program review cycle. The university attributed the changes to demand, student outcomes, and delivery costs under a rule passed in 2022 requiring state colleges to evaluate programs at least once every five years. Interim Provost Robert Bookwalter presented the plan, and the university is managing an estimated $10.2 million deficit for fiscal 2026, with president Brad Smith projecting further improvement and expecting deficits to fall below $3 million next year. Marshall tied the review process to broader financial and enrollment stabilization efforts, including a planned fiscal 2027 capital investment blitz funded by $21.8 million from the state to address deferred maintenance.