My (CLAS '99 graduate) problem with this is that UVA is known as a strong liberal arts research institution, and even if areas like German & Classics are money sinks, cutting them causes comprehensive reputation damage spanning the liberal arts. I attended engineering graduate school at NC State, which is 100% known for engineering & agriculture/textiles, and not at all for liberal arts. That isn't to say there may not be niches of expertise, but when marketing to prospective undergraduates who judge with a broad stroke and lots of ignorance (most have no idea what course of study they'll actually end up pursuing), it does mean they can stagnate and whither.