Excluding English, Filipino (Tagalog-based) is the third most frequently spoken language in the U.S., according to latest census estimates.
In the last couple of years, two Ivy League universities—Harvard and Yale—have opened Filipino language courses. Two other Ivies, Cornell and UPenn, have been offering these courses for decades.
UW-Madison, however, is bucking these trends.
Starting this fall semester, UW-Madison will discontinue its Filipino language courses, which have been offered since the 1970s. Administrators reasoned that this is due to budget cuts.
According to reports, other Southeast Asian (SEA) languages are "safe" from being axed by UW-Madison this fall. Only the Filipino program, which ironically brings in the highest enrollment among SEA language courses, will be taken down.
This development has affected members of the Filipinx American Student Organization (FASO). According to the group's statement posted on Dec. 14, 2025:
"FASO was founded 34 years ago when students from the Filipino Language Program decided to create a space for Filipino culture on UW's campus... FASO would not exist without the Filipino Language Program."
FASO continues its discussion with the university to find ways to save the program, which would likely be through fundraising to support the instructors' salary. Once details are ironed out, PAMANA will be FASO's key partner in this community endeavor.
For now, FASO held a town hall meeting this past Thursday, Feb. 12, at the Sewell Social Sciences Hall, Room 6203 (Address: 1180 Observatory Dr, Madison).
