The recent layoffs at the University of Northern Colorado have caused the cancellation of the Brewing Laboratory Science program, to the dismay of many students currently enrolled in it.
This comes in the wake of 50 staff layoffs of staff positions at the university, which also made cuts to the honors program and cultural centers at UNC.
Sean Johnson will be leaving the university after eight years of serving as the program manager for the department. Johnson was unable to provide a comment on the layoffs when asked.
As a former student at UNC from 2010 to 2016, Johnson obtained a master's degree in organic chemistry, then was hired by the university to be a member of the brewing program staff in 2017. From there, Johnson took on a teaching load as well as a role in logistics and safety, allowing students to obtain a hands-on brewing experience with the university’s seven-barrel (249 gallon) setup.
With Johnson’s work, the university formed local partnerships with a brewery with the goal of beer brewed by students commercially. The beer was produced under the collaborative effort of UNC and Yetters Brewing Company. It was named “Northern Colorado Brewhouse,” and their first flight of beer released to the public consisted of an American lager, amber ale, pale ale and Belgian blonde.
In a recent social media post, UNC Athletics announced a partnership with WeldWerks Brewing Co. to release a new “Bear Beer,” with a portion of the profits funding the program.
The minor and certificate in the brewing program attracted students from all kinds of majors, offering a practical science addition to their existing course loads.
ZEWJ, a senior graduating this fall with a degree in musical theater, and Jennifer Nguyen, a junior studying ASL-English interpretation, shared a class together about practical brewing science.
“I've really enjoyed the brewing classes, which I did not think I would, because I didn't like science or math,” said ZEWJ, who goes by one name. “I've always done more creative, artistic things, and I never thought that I would enjoy something like brewing.”
The class focused on applications of water chemistry, analysis of raw materials, components and finished products with individual samples of homebrewed beers.
Both ZEWJ and Nguyen enjoyed the class, even though it dealt with difficult chemistry topics like spectroscopy and stoichiometry.
“Sean is so knowledgeable about how to apply the actual science used in brewery systems,” Nguyen said. “Topics like things you need to know in a brewery for safety and just how to make good beer.”
Johnson has a background in exploring how breweries implement good brewing practices, standard operating procedures, hazard analysis and critical control points to ensure safety and quality control.
As a part of the brewing minor and certificate, Johnson would negotiate with breweries in Northern Colorado to accept interns from the program. It was a method of practically applying the material learned in the brewing science courses while also providing networking opportunities for students.
But now, Johnson is unable to continue to teach in the brewing science program as UNC implements layoffs in the face of a $14 million projected budget shortfall.
“I feel like I was robbed of my learning opportunities,” Nguyen said. “My professor was laid off before the final exam. So, the class that I paid for is very deliberately cut from me and so many learning opportunities are missed.”
From week 12 through the rest of the semester, all of Johnson’s classes were taught fully remotely while he prepared to find work elsewhere. Johnson taught several types of classes at UNC, ranging from the history and science behind beer to the somatic analysis and creation of beer in a laboratory setting.
Both students are frustrated with how the university has been conducting business over the last semester.
“I think it's really unfortunate that there is a lack of transparency, and a lack of prioritization of a lot of smaller, but really good programs at this school," ZEWJ said. “It seems that they've never gotten the support that they needed to get off the ground and then they're cut anyways.”
Nguyen feels strongly about the budget cuts targeting smaller programs as well.
“With the current budget cuts, I think UNC is heading down the wrong path, in President Feinstein's words, of him prioritizing programs with many people in it instead of programs with less people,” Nguyen said.
Although ZEWJ was able to finish the necessary classes for the brewing minor, Nguyen was not as fortunate.
“I’m missing a couple credit classes, and also the internship... and without Sean there, it feels like I've lost someone to have as a guidance person,” Nguyen said. “It feels very like the university does not appreciate what he does at all.”
She has a plan to continue pursuing brewing sciences, but it might not be at UNC.
“I still plan on trying to get my certification, and I've talked to one of my friends and he said to go to Front Range [Community College] to see what I could do from there,” Nguyen said. “It's way cheaper than, like, going to CSU Fort Collins.”
Murielle Watzky, the department chair of Chemistry and Biochemistry at UNC, commented on the program.
“The recent decision to discontinue the Brewing Program and eliminate the Brewing Program Manager position was made as part of university-wide budget cuts,” Watzky said. “The focus of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry is now on supporting affected students. We recognize the value the program has brought to our campus community and appreciate the dedication of our faculty, staff, students and partners throughout its duration.”
At the end of the day, ZEWJ reflected on their journey at UNC and the memories they will have of the programs offered by the university.
“The lack of transparency in the budget cuts, the layoffs, the notice given, it’s really screwing a lot of students and faculty over,” ZEWJ surmised. “It's frustrating, and it's not the legacy that I want UNC to have.”
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