CORNING N.Y. (WENY) -- Corning Community College is announcing it will be discontinuing five academic programs, with some either being absorbed by other existing curriculum, or making way for new, more modern efforts. 

Probably one of the most notable cuts the college described in a news release is the automotive programs. CCC says it plans to collaborate with employers and BOCES to address training needs through employer partnerships. Another program being discontinued is the Early Childhood studies associate degree. CCC states it will meet needs for early childhood education certification with the childhood development association preparation micro-credential, which includes field experience. 

Additionally, the Manufacturing Technology program is being cut, according to the administration, to allow the STEM division to focus efforts on developing a program in the field of mechatronics. CCC will also cut the Health and Physical education studies associate program. While the news release states there is no set plan for a comparable degree, the statement says the college will investigate a "health and physical education concentration option" within the Community and Public Health associate of science program. 

And finally, the Human Services associate in applied science program will be discontinued, where the college says it will work with community partners to try and find a human services transfer degree geared more towards social work. 

This comes following a November 2018 supplemental program review, which evaluated the sustainability of programs in which the last three years' average enrollment had been 10 students or fewer. 

In a response to the announced cuts, Ryan Hersha, President of The Professional Educators of Corning Community College says: 

CCC faculty are shocked and appalled by the actions announced by the college administration today. Their announced cuts and faculty terminations disregard months of information gathering and alternatives developed by faculty and community stakeholders, many years of dedication to the college by the faculty affected, and the terms of our contract, which requires the college to seek alternatives to termination. We will continue to pursue all means available to us in support of what's best for our students, community, and colleagues, and we look forward to continued community support as we do so. 

WENY News will continue to follow any further developments in this story as more information develops.