ITHACA, NY (607NewsNow) – The Ithaca College community is rallying around a program on the chopping block.

The Ithacan reports a petition opposing the pause of the Deaf Studies minor program was created on April 30. Last month, IC announced that the program would be cut after Fall 2025, and three sign language and deaf culture instructors would be laid off.

Over 50 students are currently enrolled in the courses. They will be permitted to finish their studies during the fall semester before the program is cut.

The petition, “Oppose the Pause on Deaf Studies,” has over 1,000 signatures.