Russian language enrollement

[Jill Hutchens]

To whom it may concern:
I am writing as a student from James Madison University in Harrisonburg, VA, and wanted to ask the SEELANG community for some information
regarding Russian language enrollment (I have already contacted AATSEEL and was assured this was the best place to seek help).  JMU is
trying to close our Russian Language and our Translation/Interpretation programs, two endeavors which the language and translation community
feels set us apart from other universities in the area, (actually they have already decided to close these programs and let the faculty go, but we
are vehemently fighting the decision),  The administration says that Russian enrollment nationwide is down, and for that reason Russian is not a
necessary language to offer at JMU.  However, as the russnet.org web site indicates, enrollment went up in the '90's.  We don't really feel that the
administration here values these programs enough, or even have the proper information to make a fair judgement.  If possible, could someone
please write back to me in regards to the current situation of nationwide interest/enrollment in Russian programs?  We really do not want to see
Russian disappear from our campus, since we feel that it remains a vital language in this age of globalization.  Thank you for your time,
                                                                                                                                      Jill Hutchens
                                                                                                                                      hutchejd at jmu.edu

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