Are Cutbacks In Faculty A Reality?

jyber209
Sun, 12 Mar 2006 18:06:42 +0000

Any responsible CEO (which, in effect, a college pres is) always has to keep an eye on the bottom line, continually re-evaluating priorities and expenses.

That said, I have not heard complaints from my senior D about class sizes or prof availability. As a matter of fact, last Sunday afternoon she cut off an IM session with me to go meet with the prof of one of her elective classes --“He has Sunday office hours,” she explained.

The cuts/revisions to the dining program are well known.
Several international J-term options, which were heavily subsidized by the school, have been discontinued as well. Fortunately, my D had taken advantage of them her first and second years at Smith.

I heard President Christ speak this year, and while I can’t recall all the specifics, she made sense to me, and handled the “no holding back” question and answer session with aplomb. IF I recall correctly, she made a strong case that any cuts would be directed at non-essential aspects of college life, and that academics would not be sacrificed.

Just as one example I know of, certain meetings, including some attended mainly by students, used to have catered meals. These have been discontinued.

Naturally, there are some programs and majors that are growing, and some that are not. Staffing decisions would reflect that. Are the problems showing up in certain majors?