ITHACA, NY (607NewsNow) — Ithaca College is shrinking its faculty.

A trio of sign language professors will be laid off after the upcoming fall semester. The professors teach in the deaf studies program which is being paused after the fall.

The Ithacan reports over 50 students are currently taking deaf studies courses. Sign language professor Lisa Witchey told the publication she was “quite shocked” when she learned the program was being paused.