NDNU faculty to face budget cuts
Issue date: 4/29/09 Section: News
Some faculty members remain neutral to the 2 percent pay raise freeze. "I feel alright about this," said Jean Nyland, professor of psychology. "I just wish they had not given it to us in the first place. They should have been able to foresee this need at that time."
Greig reported that she and other administrative staff looked into that. "As one of the layoffs, there was one entire vice-president that disappeared. That was taken very seriously, to cut out an entire position."
All 13 senior administrators also took pay cuts ranging from 2 percent to 12 percent, with those earning the most taking the largest cut. Greig says there are still those working on whether further cuts are to be made within the administration. The money saved from administrative salary cuts amounted to about $40,000 this year, and will amount to $120,000 next year.
After many recommendations from the faculty as well as members of the staff and administration, Greig ultimately made the decision to remove 48 administrative units. According to Greig, reducing the number of administrative units that positions count for will result in a savings of $62,000. Each full-time faculty member contracted by the university is required to teach 24 units of classes each year. This is usually split in half, or 12 per semester. These units can also be filled by teaching a combination of classes and holding administrative positions, such as a department chair or dean of a school. These positions usually amount to three credits, or administrative units. According to Ferrera, this is what is affecting the faculty the most.
"Consolidation of administrative functions is the major place reductions should be made," said Nyland.
Because the university can't remove these administrative positions altogether, the administration came up with the plan to reduce the amount of units each position offers. Some positions will be reduced to two administrative units, and some will be reduced to one, until the goal of 48 units is reached.
Greig reported that she and other administrative staff looked into that. "As one of the layoffs, there was one entire vice-president that disappeared. That was taken very seriously, to cut out an entire position."
All 13 senior administrators also took pay cuts ranging from 2 percent to 12 percent, with those earning the most taking the largest cut. Greig says there are still those working on whether further cuts are to be made within the administration. The money saved from administrative salary cuts amounted to about $40,000 this year, and will amount to $120,000 next year.
After many recommendations from the faculty as well as members of the staff and administration, Greig ultimately made the decision to remove 48 administrative units. According to Greig, reducing the number of administrative units that positions count for will result in a savings of $62,000. Each full-time faculty member contracted by the university is required to teach 24 units of classes each year. This is usually split in half, or 12 per semester. These units can also be filled by teaching a combination of classes and holding administrative positions, such as a department chair or dean of a school. These positions usually amount to three credits, or administrative units. According to Ferrera, this is what is affecting the faculty the most.
"Consolidation of administrative functions is the major place reductions should be made," said Nyland.
Because the university can't remove these administrative positions altogether, the administration came up with the plan to reduce the amount of units each position offers. Some positions will be reduced to two administrative units, and some will be reduced to one, until the goal of 48 units is reached.
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
Des Moines Movers
posted 11/23/09 @ 12:16 PM PST
It's unfortunate but the reality of today's situation is that all schools are facing budget cuts and are being left to their own devices in terms of figuring out how to deal with these changes. (Continued…)
essay writer
posted 11/28/09 @ 1:23 AM PST
It is not very pleasant situation.
Research Paper Writers
posted 12/09/09 @ 2:15 AM PST
It is not very good that the university has implemented administrative salary reductions, staff layoffs, and staff furlough days.
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