In a move that shocked many, 130-year-old Seattle Pacific University said it would cut its budget for academic programs by 40 percent, expecting most of this to take the form of massive faculty layoffs in the next year.

Though SPU faces some specific pressures as it tries to fit its Christian philosophy into a changing cultural landscape, it is certainly not the only university needing to make cuts because of a budget shortfall. In March, Forbes reported that many large universities around the country are having to significantly cut costs by reducing staff and faculty.

It's unfortunate that professors and staff are facing unemployment, but another question looms even larger: what are college or university students supposed to do if their program of study gets eliminated in an attempt to cut costs? Many students choose which university or college to attend based on the availability of a field of study that appeals to them and will help them reach their professional goals. So what recourse do these students have if their program of study is no longer available?

What Happens When a College or University Discontinues a Program of Study?

You may think of colleges and universities as simply existing to provide education to their students, but the reality is that they are also businesses with financial concerns. As a result, it's not unheard of for schools to discontinue programs of study that do not have a large number of students or are otherwise not profitable. In some situations, colleges and universities will maintain the program of study long enough to allow students that are currently enrolled in it to finish their studies and obtain their degree while not allowing any new students to begin the program. If this isn't possible, students are usually encouraged to transfer to another similar major at the same institution or to transfer to another university that still offers the program of study they were promised.

But this solution does not address the difficult situation that these students find themselves in. Changing majors or transferring to a new school is not always an easy matter, and students may feel that the school has not lived up to its educational obligations. These students may wish to pursue legal action for breach of contract.

Pursuing Legal Action for Breach of Contract

Breach of contract occurs when a party in a binding agreement does not live up to its obligations under the agreement. In a case such as SPU's, students could allege that the school agreed to provide a certain level of education in a given program of study, and now budget cuts mean that the institution is unable to do that.

To prove a breach of contract, potential plaintiffs need to start by showing that a valid contract was in place with all the correct elements. The experienced student defense lawyers at the Lento Law Firm can help you determine whether your situation meets these requirements. From there, you will need to show that the school did not meet its obligations under the contract in order to take legal action. The Lento Law Firm's experienced legal team can evaluate your situation and help you take appropriate action to get compensation for a college or university's shortfall.

If you or your student are facing the discontinuation of a program of study, you may have legal options for compensation. After all, you or your student chose this university in order to pursue a particular major—and if that major is eliminated, you may feel that you were misled by the institution. You may be able to pursue a lawsuit to take recourse for this unforeseen, unwarranted situation. Call 888-535-3686 or contact the Lento Law Firm online to schedule a consultation to discuss your particular situation. Our experienced student defense team can help you figure out the best course of action to address what you or your student have experienced.