Interdisciplinary Liberal Studies Program Closes

Dear friends and alumni of the IDLS program,

I am writing to share some news about the Interdisciplinary Liberal Studies (IDLS) program at Seattle University. As you may have already heard, the university has made the difficult decision to close the IDLS program. This decision was not made lightly—it reflects changes in student enrollment patterns and our ongoing efforts to steward resources in ways that best serve our students and mission.

We are deeply proud of the program’s history and the many graduates who have carried its interdisciplinary spirit into classrooms, community organizations, companies, graduate studies, and beyond. IDLS alumni have long embodied the program’s commitment to intellectual curiosity, creativity, and service, and your contributions to your fields and communities continue to be a source of inspiration for us.

While the program will no longer admit new students, we are committed to supporting our current IDLS students through to graduation, ensuring they have the guidance and resources they need to complete their degrees successfully. We remain grateful for your connection to Seattle University and to the College of Arts and Sciences. As an alum of IDLS, you are part of a remarkable legacy—one that will continue to shape our community for years to come.

If you have questions about this transition or would like to share your reflections on the program, please feel free to contact me or our Director of Development, Rachel Whalen at rwhalen@seattleu.edu.

With gratitude,

Monica J. Casper, PhD

Dean, College of Arts and Sciences