Protesting Program Cuts with a Flower Vigil
When news broke that the physics, astronomy, and mathematics degree programs at Valdosta State University (VSU) would be replaced by a data science degree, our SPS chapter knew we had to bring attention to the issue. We decided on a form of silent protest—a flower vigil—to advocate for our academic community and for preserving the future of scientific education in Georgia and at VSU.
The vigil was gradually constructed throughout April 2024 on the pedestrian mall outside the science building that houses the physics program. It featured approximately $500 worth of donated flowers and signage, a poignant visual representation of our sorrow and determination.
The memorial also included heartfelt messages and symbolic elements, such as our chapter’s latest T-shirt. The powerful display aimed to inform the broader VSU community about the gravity of the administration’s decision and to raise awareness of its impact. The sign at the vigil’s center listed the roughly 11 academic majors affected by the cuts and read, “May they never be forgotten.”
Our SPS chapter has been a vibrant part of VSU’s physics and astronomy programs for over half a century. We are a haven for students passionate about the subjects, offering a platform for personal connections and professional development.
Chapter activities—including planetarium shows, a guest lecture series, K–12 outreach events, and trips to prominent scientific facilities—have been central to our group. We are terribly saddened by this development.
The administration constantly says these changes should not personally or academically affect us, but my classmates and I couldn’t sleep well for weeks after we heard the decision.
Our SPS chapter members are deeply concerned about the implications of replacing these programs with a data science major. Physics, astronomy, and mathematics degrees already provide essential skills valuable to any employer. These skills include managing teams, programming, critical thinking, advanced mathematics and modeling, effective questioning, scientific literacy, and novel problem-solving, to name a few.
“Many of us chose Valdosta State University for its affordable program and accessible admissions process. If smaller universities like VSU offer fewer science programs, students may be forced to attend more expensive institutions, making quality education accessible only to those with financial means,” our chapter collectively stated.
“For our university to think that we would simply do nothing against these actions is already evidence enough that ‘student demands’ are not the first priority with regards to this decision,” the chapter added.
Our SPS chapter is also planning to tackle the issue while hosting the SPS Zone 6 Conference on March 28, 2025, which will feature research presentations, guest speakers, and a panel on the deactivation of physics and astronomy programs. We aim to showcase research while addressing the growing trend of cutting physics and astronomy programs across the country.
The deactivation has far-reaching implications for our current students, who may have to transfer to other universities to complete their studies if they don’t meet the administration’s spring 2026 graduation deadline. We are committed to supporting them by connecting them with professors from other universities through our guest lecture series.
“The most important thing we need to focus on is the graduation of our members or their transfer to a healthier physics and astronomy program to finish their studies,” says SPS vice president Marissa Norlund.
We will continue to fight for our programs and the freedom to pursue the skills we know are valuable. Our passion for science drives us; our rationality and logic are sound. This may have started here in Valdosta, but we are determined to end it here as well.
