Campus Cuts: Staff and faculty changes are hitting campus with employees terminated immediately and some facing nonrenewal of contracts

On Oct. 22, the Student Government Association (SGA) held a meeting that discussed the university’s financial status. In the meeting, it was confirmed that due to a decline in enrollment, an increase in operationals costs, budget overestimation and misclassification of grant funding revenue, the University of St. Francis (USF) is in a $6 million deficit. To account for this deficit, President Hendrickson's recovery strategy is an academic reorganization.

An announcement was released in early October by the Vice President of University Advancement, Lisa Sampalis, on Saints United. The announcement covered President Hendrickson's initiative to address the deficit by eliminating approximately 40 staff and administrative positions. 

“Under the leadership of President Ryan C. Hendrickson, Ph.D., this initiative reflects the university’s ongoing commitment to responsible stewardship, academic excellence, budgetary responsibility and its Franciscan mission of service and community,” Sampalis confirmed in the Saints United announcement. 

The process of eliminating these positions falls under the “Financial Emergency” policy. The affected employees were communicated with individually over a two-week span. Non-renewal staff members, a total of 18, were notified on Wednesday, Oct. 15. These staff members will not have the opportunity for an appeal process. Another 20 faculty and staff members were immediately let go on Tuesday, Oct. 28. These individuals had a chance to appeal their termination to the board for a week following their notice. 

An announcement to the staff and faculty on Saints United explicitly stated that these notifications were in compliance with the Policy Manual.

Regarding the future of student degree plans, the official communication by President Hendrickson and Steve Hernandez, a Chair Member on the Board of Trustees, to students on Saints United states, “The University of St. Francis is fully committed to ensuring that you complete your chosen degree and to keep communication open as plans develop.”

Although a lot of information on academic restructuring is yet to be finalized nor released, low enrollment programs may be affected by the staff reductions. To aid students that are affected by potential program closures, the university will implement a teach-out process. 

Teach-outs allow students to complete the courses for their degree while the university stops accepting people into those specified programs. Ensuring that current students can finish their degree while the university can successfully restructure thereafter. 

Students can still declare minors and additional majors, however they will be unable to join programs that have recently closed. Regardless of the challenges that USF is facing, no current student will lose the ability to graduate. 

Keep in mind that more information is forthcoming. The official communication on Saints United to faculty and staff states, “Dr. Hendrickson will conduct another Town Hall meeting with the campus community on Wednesday, Nov. 12. That meeting will include updates and strategic discussion regarding the reorganization process and how the University will be positioned for future growth.” 

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