University of Akron abandons interior design and electrical engineering so students can play more video games
University of Akron abandons interior design and
electrical engineering so students can play more video games
By Kathryn Krawczyk August 20, 2018 11:38 a.m. ET
College students who've swapped degrees for a life of
video gaming can't be shamed anymore. The University of Akron is also swapping
out 80 of its degree programs, building three state-of-the-art gaming spaces
for its new esports teams instead.
The Ohio school announced the money-saving measure last
week, revealing it'll phase out unpopular degrees to focus on stronger
programs, The Chronicle of Higher Education reports. Targeted programs include
a Ph.D in electrical engineering and a bachelor's degree in interior design.
The low-enrollment programs are available at similar institutions, and cutting
them will save about $6 million to devote to other priorities, Akron explains.
One of those priorities? Video games. About $750,000 will
go toward transforming three rooms into video gaming spaces, creating "the
largest amount of dedicated esports space of any university in the world to
date," the university says. Another $400,000 will be spent on operating
costs each year, plus $70,000 for game licenses, league dues, and more, the Chronicle
reports.
While Akron is drawing a lot of flack for the
announcement, it's not an unusual move. Several other colleges have sprouted
esports teams and facilities over the past few years, and Akron is just taking
it to a new level, the Chronicle points out.
With any luck, this investment will make the eZips more
successful than their real-football-playing counterparts.
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