Updates to faculty layoff plan and other stuff

[leatherneckcountry]

I’ve never meant a forensic chemistry major in the time I’ve been here

[sealhall74]

I’ve never meant a forensic chemistry major in the time I’ve been here

That's because they are really good and got your DNA without you knowing.

[Leatherneck10]

I’ve never meant a forensic chemistry major in the time I’ve been here

That's because those students aren't hanging around Hanson Field. A good number of the Centennial Scholarship winners each year are in forensic chemistry. Western's absolute best and brightest.

[wiu712]

Faculty Layoffs at Western Illinois University.

From Tri-States Public Radio, WIUM-FM:
http://tspr.org/post/faculty-layoffs-we ... university

[wiu712]

A WIU spokesperson said 23 of the layoffs will be on the Macomb campus and one in the Quad Cities campus in Moline.


Faculty and staff react to Western Illinois University job cuts.
From WGEM News:
http://www.wgem.com/story/38535952/2018 ... y-job-cuts

[wiu712]

Faculty members might not be the only ones facing layoffs and/or program cuts.

From BOT member Todd Lester:

“Nothing at the moment at this university is off the table from analysis. I’m going to repeat that – nothing at the university is off the table from analysis. Nothing is so sacred at the moment that it should not and cannot be looked at to see if we need it, can do it more efficiently, or it can be done in a more cost-effective manner."

[Neckfansince71]

This is why "marketing" and "development" are going to be very very important to the athletic department going forward. jc

[wiu712]

WIU announces 24 layoffs.

From today's McDonough County Voice:
http://www.mcdonoughvoice.com/news/2018 ... 24-layoffs

[wiu712]

This has been a sad week in Macomb.

First, the County Market grocery store closed. Their outdoor sign said "Good-Bye, Macomb".

Then came the 24 layoffs at Western, with 23 of those at the Macomb campus. Another 62 vacant positions were eliminated. That means that 62 families will not be moving to Macomb, buying homes in the area, etc.

BOT member Todd Lester stated at Thursday's Trustee meeting that "nothing at the university is off the table from analysis". You would have to assume that would include the status of the Athletics program.

Some of the Civil Service labor units at Western have not yet finalized their next contract. Once that happens, there could be some staff reductions.

More dorm floors will be closed-off this fall.

When WGEM-TV does a news story now about Western, they use the phrase "dwindling enrollment".

A Macomb Realtor said that there are a lot of homes for sale now in Macomb. And with Western not bringing in as many new hires, homes are staying on the market for longer periods of time. The Realtor expects that Western's enrollment will stabilize in the 3,000 - 4,000 range in a few years based on current trends.

[Neckfansince71]

712, I feel your pain for WIU/Macomb, but the whole idea of the reduction in force for the faculty is to reduce costs in academic areas which have lost popularity. And yes, everything on the table for analysis and cost savings. As I said earlier, marketing and development of private resource is going to be very very important in many areas including athletics. You are assuming that financial analysis has not begun yet but in fact it has. The next step in this process is the announcement of university goals, direction, and curriculum direction and development. And the whole idea for this repositioning is to change the trend that the realtor has used to come up with his future enrollment projection. You know, this years freshmen class was effected a number of times as the faculty made its unhappiness with negotiations and President Thomas known. Its not the only reason for a smaller freshman class, but the labor unrest sure did not help. This process is going to take some time. But I really think WIU/Macomb will be better off because of it! And....there is no plan at the current time to go D2! Of course, if the current trend continues............enough said! jc

PS - Here is to a brighter tomorrow for WIU/Macomb!