Colleges in Dire Financial Straits

[mythbuster]

I know from a colleague at UNC-G that what bio-nonymous is describing is exactly what is happening to the Greensboro campus. They are also suffering because they are don't have the sexy research programs (aka $$$) that Charlotte or the triangle have. People who work at UNC-G are rather nervous about it all.

[Mobius]

Western Illinois University reportedly laying off at least 100 faculty. Enrollment down 50% since 2010.

https://www.wgem.com/2024/07/19/most-harmful-decisions-have-already-been-made-wiu-faculty-indicate-100-future-layoffs/

[jimbogumbo]

Western has been in trouble for years. We knew we were really in trouble when a Chancellor put Western on a list of institutions we should emulate.

[apl68]

Western Illinois University reportedly laying off at least 100 faculty. Enrollment down 50% since 2010.

https://www.wgem.com/2024/07/19/most-harmful-decisions-have-already-been-made-wiu-faculty-indicate-100-future-layoffs/

That's a pretty drastic drop in enrollment!  It's hard to see how they could not be forced to make some major layoffs and reductions in programs after that.  I suppose that's another case of a compass-point institution taking the brunt of a demographic decline in enrollment.

Out of curiosity, what do they mean by "Unit-A" and "Unit-B?"  Is it faculty vs. admin, or tenured faculty vs. adjunct?

[jimbogumbo]

Western Illinois University reportedly laying off at least 100 faculty. Enrollment down 50% since 2010.

https://www.wgem.com/2024/07/19/most-harmful-decisions-have-already-been-made-wiu-faculty-indicate-100-future-layoffs/

That's a pretty drastic drop in enrollment!  It's hard to see how they could not be forced to make some major layoffs and reductions in programs after that.  I suppose that's another case of a compass-point institution taking the brunt of a demographic decline in enrollment.

Out of curiosity, what do they mean by "Unit-A" and "Unit-B?"  Is it faculty vs. admin, or tenured faculty vs. adjunct?

From their union agreement, Unit-A is defined as tenure/tenure track, and Unit-B is comprised of academic support professionals and associate faculty.

[spork]

Not truly dire because it's CSU, but definitely big problems:

https://edsource.org/2024/cal-state-board-anticipates-a-painful-year-as-campuses-cut-costs/716849

[apl68]

Not truly dire because it's CSU, but definitely big problems:

https://edsource.org/2024/cal-state-board-anticipates-a-painful-year-as-campuses-cut-costs/716849

A potential $1 billion budget gap in the next year or two?  Even for one of the very largest state systems in the nation, that's huge.  They're going to have to move beyond talking about a few layoffs here and there, and cutting things like women's water polo.  Enrollment is way down across the system.  And the state isn't about to bail the system out--not when what they had thought was a fantastic budget surplus has turned into tens of billions in deficit over the course of only two years.

[Hibush]

Not truly dire because it's CSU, but definitely big problems:

https://edsource.org/2024/cal-state-board-anticipates-a-painful-year-as-campuses-cut-costs/716849

A potential $1 billion budget gap in the next year or two?  Even for one of the very largest state systems in the nation, that's huge.  They're going to have to move beyond talking about a few layoffs here and there, and cutting things like women's water polo.  Enrollment is way down across the system.  And the state isn't about to bail the system out--not when what they had thought was a fantastic budget surplus has turned into tens of billions in deficit over the course of only two years.

When a campus loses 30% of enrollment over just a few years, how much is fluctuation with the business cycle (and will return) and how much is permanently lost? Both are very much at play for CSU. Campus leaders have to make that call with limited information and lots of advisors providing incorrect wish-based recommendations.
Some of those campuses will have to eliminate substantial programs and mothball the buildings that house them. We'll see which campuses make the strategic calls.
I suspect the new campuses, like Monterey Bay and Channel Islands face different pressure than traditional powerhouses like East Bay. The former were not sited based on demand, where the latter is in an area of very high demand and a long track record supporting the Bay Area community. 

[jimbogumbo]

The CSU 2024-2025 budget is $298 billion. So $1 billion isn't as drastic a percentage as in many places we've noted.

[dismalist]

A billion here, a billion there, and pretty soon you're talking real money.

[Hibush]

A billion here, a billion there, and pretty soon you're talking real money.

Yes indeed. True for the 1938 Federal budget as well as the 2025 CSU budget.
But real money comes a lot sooner in a SLAC budget

[Hibush]

Wittenberg in Ohio is cutting 60% of the faculty for 2025-26. That sounds dire.

Deets:

• 1,288 undergraduate students and 45 graduate students
• 25 intercollegiate athletic teams in NCAA Division III.
• Finished $50 million athletic complex in 2019.
• $17 million operating deficit last year on $96 million budget.
• Only 25% of expenses are salaries
• Big cuts in political science, women's studies and sociology
• Faculty will be reduced from 97 to 40 after the coming academic year.
• Staff will be reduced during the coming year.
• AAUP says it is unethical to admit current matriculating class given the reduced offerings.

[Hegemony]

Faculty reduced from 97 to 40?! Oh boy. The writing is on the wall.

[BadWolf]

Spoke with a colleague from Emerson today who was given an early retirement package on Friday. Had to decide by today. I know they were mentioned a few pages back.

Made a bet with a different colleague that Goucher in gone in the next 5 years.

Anyone know what is up with Washington and Jefferson? They were mentioned today as well but I know nothing of what may be happening.

[Ruralguy]

I don't see how 40 faculty can teach 1300 students. Pretty soon, half of that 1300 will realize that too and not return.