The University of Alaska Board of Regents on Friday approved cutting about 40 programs and reducing or merging several others, according to Alaska Public Media. It’s part of an effort by the UA administration to scale-down the university system as revenue sources shrink.

The UA’s budget gap is driven by cuts to state funding and declining enrollment, and exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic. UA says the cuts will save about $4 million.

Regent Karen Perdue said it’s the largest number of program reductions at UA in recent memory, and that it reflects the tough financial times the university system is in.