A new report designed to prioritize programs at Washington State University recommends restructuring of general education across the school, including the elimination of one-fifth of the school’s 6,700 course offerings.

The report, based on the recommendations of a 16-member task force, suggests WSU drop many courses that are either seldom taught or have very small enrollments, enabling tenured faculty to devote more attention to core courses that serve more students.

The report also calls for a realigning of various schools and departments to bring together faculty members in related areas, while phasing out the undergraduate major in forestry.

Each college is being asked to audit its courses, options, minors, majors and degrees, and submit a preliminary implementation plan and timeline to the provost by June 15, with the deadline for a final plan set for September 26.

University officials, including President Elson Floyd, say the goal of program prioritization is not to reduce WAZZU’s overall budget, but to focus resources on the school’s highest academic priorities, including the areas of research preeminence.