International studies centers nationwide — including seven at UNC — might lose almost half their funding, depending on how the U.S. Department of Education interprets a federal funding bill.
The bill, which funds the federal budget through September, leaves specific cuts to the discretion of the department.
And the final decision on how the cuts will be implemented must be made by May 15.
Legislators recommended cuts of 40 percent for two funding programs, including Title VI of the Higher Education Act of 1965, which go toward international studies initiatives at universities nationwide.
Department officials aren’t obligated to follow that suggestion, but the final cut is expected to be close to the recommended 40 percent.
If cuts that high are implemented, administrators said they might have to cut foreign language class offerings, research and outreach programs, and staff — at a time when the Obama administration has been focusing on promoting globalization and international issues.
“To take a big cut out of Title VI is basically to cut the program,” said Gilbert Merkx, director of the Center for International and Area Studies at Duke University, a Title VI-funded center.
“Programs that have taken years and years to build will start to unravel.”
To cope with the impending budget cuts, the center will not offer as many speakers or film series, and it will no longer sponsor classes in less-commonly taught languages such as Persian and Turkish. The cuts would put staff positions at risk, too, he said.