Southern Oregon University trustees approve fiscal plan that includes layoffs

On Friday, Southern Oregon College’s Board of Trustees unanimously accredited a plan that they are saying will stop a funds shortfall that’s projected to develop to $14.6 million by the 2026-27 tutorial 12 months.

SOU President Rick Bailey offered the up to date plan to the board, which the college has been engaged on for the reason that fall, together with holding a number of city halls to obtain suggestions from the neighborhood.

The plan contains shedding roughly 24 workers. All collectively, practically 82 full-time positions will likely be minimize, though most of these will likely be achieved by not filling job vacancies, retirements, voluntary departures and nonrenewable contracts. The realignment plan additionally contains making use of for grants, specializing in philanthropy and diversifying income.

Some members of the board acquired emotional on the assembly, wavering between disappointment for the workers dropping their jobs and hope for the establishment’s future.

“I’m deeply saddened in the present day as a result of I do know my vote will trigger important ache to individuals I care about,” stated Trustee Andrew Homosexual, an affiliate professor and chair of the Communication, Media & Cinema division at SOU.

Bailey has held his function for barely a 12 months, however he stated it’s his and the board’s duty to ensure the college is just not on this place once more in 5 years.

“Meaning any longer, we’re going to funds responsibly and realistically, however we’re going to behave aspirationally and strategically and entrepreneurially in ways in which change that mannequin,” he stated.

The college stated the workers who will likely be affected will lose their jobs within the subsequent 4 to fifteen months. The accredited realignment plan cuts about 13% of the college’s workforce total.

Board Chairman Daniel Santos stated he’s grateful that the Board accredited the plan, which he stated contains extra conservative budgeting.

“We’re not going with anticipating extra from the legislature. We’re not going from anticipating extra on enrollment. We’re doing quite a lot of issues on a really conservative foundation in order that if we get greater than these, it’s to our profit. It’s not like, ‘geez, if we didn’t get it, we’re gonna fall quick,’” he stated.

The plan has obtained some pushback from college and college students, notably for its cuts to the college’s beloved theater division.

The college stated the price administration measures the board adopted will scale back bills by $3.6 million this 12 months whereas figuring out one other $9 million in recurring price reductions.

“This isn’t a gloom and doom scenario,” Santos stated. “We’ve a very vibrant future forward of us. We will plan accordingly.”