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SPS Statement on Physics and Astronomy Departments under Threat of Reduction, Merger, or Closure

April 13, 2024

Council Action

On April 13, 2024, the SPS Council voted in favor of approving the following statement, affirming the work of the Governance Committee in developing the statement over the preceding 12 months. The statement was then reviewed and approved by the CEO of AIP and the Chair of the AIP Board of Directors.

Statement

The Society of Physics Students and Sigma Pi Sigma Council recognizes that many physics and astronomy departments are under threat of reduction, merger, or closure. The Council is concerned about student success and the future of physics and astronomy departments. We applaud the resilience and creativity of faculty, students, and chapters to sustain the traditions and networks that support our communities. The Council acknowledges that SPS and Sigma Pi Sigma, through its chapters, must fortify and focus on the support of undergraduates and departments to ensure the health of our community and guarantee opportunities for future generations. We encourage chapters to reach out to the SPS office for additional help and to consult resources developed by the broader physics and astronomy community. We urge colleges and universities to support physics and astronomy departments as a vital part of their institutions.

Resources

Effective Practices for Physics Programs (EP3) is a project of APS and AAPT, supported by APS and NSF funding. The website provides a wealth of information and tools to explore, such as the Toolkit for Departments Under Threat , and the Departmental Action Leadership Institute (DALI) . DALI currently requires funding to restart, but interested programs can still benefit from the information on their page and may contact EP3 to support DALI in this endeavor.

The Joint Task Force on Undergraduate Physics Programs (JTUPP) was a joint task force of the APS and AAPT charged with addressing the question of what skills and knowledge should the next generation of physics degree holders possess to be well prepared for a diverse set of careers. The report and supplement provide additional resources for helping programs to thrive.