A "computer glitch" may have led to the inclusion of two UA programs in a list of 32 being examined for elimination or consolidation.

The directors of Latin American Studies and Women's Studies have said their programs are not in danger of being eliminated and that they were included because the university counted only those students who are declared majors, not other students whom the program also serves.

Diana Liverman, director of Latin American Studies, said her program was not given credit for double or interdisciplinary majors.

If a student elects to major in political science and Latin American Studies, political science usually receives the credit for the student.

Judy Temple, Women's Studies director, said her program faces the same counting problem as Latin American Studies and called it simply a "computer glitch."

Liverman said the UA and the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences are trying to solve the counting problem and that she is optimistic about the program's status.

"I'm not anticipating any problems," she said.

Liverman, who joined the program as its director in January, said she asked SBS Dean Holly Smith to hold off on any reviews until Liverman could familiarize herself with the program.

A faculty committee will further review the Latin American Studies program in the fall, she said.

"In a sense, we're off the hook, for now," Liverman said.

According to information obtained from the UA's office of institutional research, Latin American Studies awarded 12 degrees and the Women's Studies program awarded 71/2 degrees last year.

An SBS faculty committee has already reviewed the Women's Studies program and made its recommendation.

"We have already gone before our college's committee and they have given us their full support," Temple said.

She said the program not only serves those declared majors, but serves a significant number of minors and interdisciplinary students, and fulfills general education requirements. Temple said the program will graduate more than 10 students this year and student demand is increasing.

"This is the first year we've had enough faculty to recruit students into the program," she said.

Liverman also pointed out that Latin American Studies is a "low-cost" program with only two faculty members. The program is supported by other faculty members who teach in other departments, she said, so elimination would not save the university any more money than what it costs to keep the program open.