The University of North Texas announced plans to cut or consolidate more than 70 academic programs to close a $45 million budget gap, removing offerings from certificates to master’s degrees and merging its linguistics department into world languages. University leaders cited declines in international graduate enrollment and a drop in state appropriations as drivers of the decision. Separately, Marshall University backtracked on a proposed cut to women’s swimming and diving after backlash from students and alumni, restoring the program. The contrasting moves underscore how institutions are weighing financial pressures against political, community and Title IX considerations. Higher‑education finance officers say program rationalization is becoming a common tool to shore up budgets, but campus leaders warn that program eliminations can imperil faculty jobs, research capacity and long‑term access for students—especially in smaller and regional campuses that serve local labor markets.