The budget cut of 1997, following as it did the cut of 1996, caused consideration of academic programs to ascertain whether any should be eliminated. John Peters, vice chancellor for Academic Affairs, recommended the phasing out of the Graduate School of Planning, which was on probation from its accrediting body. Peters stated the reasons that the program was being discontinued were three: declining student interest, poor quality, and its cost. Interim director of the school David Patterson responded that enrollment was up and accreditation issues resolved except for the addition of a full-time faculty member. He indicated that the reason why only 49 percent of students completed the program was that students got jobs before they completed it.