Franklin & Marshall College is facing a period of significant change, mirroring broader shifts in liberal arts institutions nationwide. On April 2, President Altman announced that “fewer than 20” staff members had been laid off— an expected move following her February statement warning of impending cuts. Positions include a study abroad advisor, a museum assistant, and a sustainability director, among others, according to LNP.
In the days preceding the announcement, students responded with quiet protest. At the base of the Protest Tree near Shadek-Fackenthal Library, mock “missing person” signs are displayed— each one with the name or role of a staff member who was let go. The signs are a pointed symbol of frustration with the administration’s decisions, reflecting student solidarity with affected staff and growing unease about the college’s direction.
The ripple of layoffs coincides with another significant shift: a complete overhaul of the college’s housing system. In a February announcement, Vice President of Student Affairs Drew Stelijas introduced a “reimagined housing model” set to launch in the 2025-26 academic year. The changes are geared toward simplifying housing costs, improving student well-being — especially for first-years — and providinge more options for upperclassmen.
Starting in the 2026-27 academic year, Brooks, Bonchek, and Ware College Houses will be reserved exclusively for first-year students. These houses will include live-in College House Directors working alongside House Dons to support students’ transition to college life. Meanwhile, Roschel and Weiss Houses will serve suite-style residences for upperclassmen. Other college-owned properties, including Thomas, Schnader, Dietz, College Row, and James Street, will remain available to returning students.
Though the administration has emphasized that the College House system will remain intact, the decision raises concerns about the future of house affiliations and traditions. With students no longer able to live in their original houses after their first year, the long-term social identity tied to each house remains unsettled.
These changes emerge amidst a larger context of concern for the future of liberal arts. Enrollment at F&M has fallen from 2, 236 in 2020 to 1,867 in 2024, according to Data USA. With 17% of the student body being international, the college also faces additional enrollment challenges tied to shifts in U.S. visa policy.
Still, the administration is hopeful. “You will always be a Diplomat,” President Altman said in her address. “That is why we are dedicated to sustaining the College you know and love — both for your time here and for long after you graduate.”
Junior Anna Chiaradonna is a Staff Writer. Her email is achiarad@fandm.edu