Religion program suffers fatal blow

USM released its budget reduction announcement Monday morning, listing the many academic programs facing deletion or consolidation. Among 27 programs listed was the Bachelors of Arts for religion, which, pending approval, will remove the religion major and minor from the university.

Daniel Capper, religion professor and founder of the religion major, is one of the 10 professors in the College of Arts and Letters that has been let go. Capper is also the faculty advisor to USM's chapter of Amnesty International and is the head of the study abroad program in India.

When asked about the loss of the religion major, Capper said, "The influence of religion on humanity has been so pervasive that we really cannot understand human life without understanding religion. This is especially true in a post-September 11th world. Our major in religion provides resources for students and faculty to explore and appreciate these realities in a scholarly, academic way."

Junior physics major Floyd Maseda from Meridian, Miss., said he was infuriated to hear of the major's cut.

"Maybe if they knew how to turn off building lights at night and knew better than to blow millions of dollars on a pointless wall at the front of campus – maybe if they stopped turning the stadium lights and jumbotron on and leaving them on all night – maybe if they didn't own a jet, maybe then I would have an inkling of respect for the administrative bullshit that we call the leadership of USM," Maseda said. "Grad school here?  I think not."

Biology major from Poplarville, Miss., Kaylee Gentry said this loss will make the university a little less unique.

"It's a terrible shame that we are losing religion as a major, but the removal of all religion classes is nearly a tragedy," Gentry said. "Understanding other cultures and what they base their lives on is key to being a well-rounded person.

"With all the issues surrounding the Middle East and the misunderstanding of their practices, one would think that now would be the time to embrace religious courses, not eliminate them. With the loss of several of the language courses earlier in the year and now the removal of German and the religious studies, I feel like Southern is losing its uniqueness. I liked the variety I saw in this school and eventually chose to go here after some pushing from the alumni in my family, but now it seems I could have just gone anywhere."

Capper stated he will appeal his termination and that of his program.

"The education in world religions that we provide is a vital component of our university's appreciation of individual and group diversity," he said. "For this reason research universities typically treasure their programs in religion.  Without the study of religion, a university can no longer claim to be comprehensive."