NEWS

With fewer students, Drury cuts 12 full-time faculty, reassigns others

Claudette Riley
CRILEY@NEWS-LEADER.COM
Twelve Drury University faculty members were notified Friday that their contracts will end at the conclusion of this school year or next. Declining enrollment was cited as the reason.

Citing an enrollment drop, Drury University notified 12 faculty members Friday that they will lose their jobs at the end of this school year — or next.

Five of the faculty members, three of whom are full time, will be let go in May. The other seven, all full time, will only have contracts through the end of the 2016-17 year.

In addition to the cuts, three faculty members will be assigned to other roles in the university. None of the 12 yet have tenure but some were working toward achieving it.

“It’s a response to the current reality,” said Mike Brothers, Drury’s director of media relations. “It’s part of our plan to move forward.”

Brothers declined to name the faculty members who “have been given advance notice that their contracts will end” or divulge the amount of money that will be saved by cutting the positions.

The 12 faculty members teach in one of the following areas: architecture, theater, philosophy, music, education and languages.

“It’s in areas where we see less demand,” said Brothers, noting there are fewer students majoring in those areas. “We are not cutting programs. Faculty remain in those areas.”

Brothers said the cuts were the direct result of fewer students enrolling in Drury’s traditional, undergraduate “day school,” dropping from 1,454 students a year ago to 1,315 this year. He said funding for the private, liberal arts university is tuition-driven so fewer students translates into less operating money.

Kaitlyn Box, a senior in French and international political science, said news of the cuts spread quickly on campus Monday. She said many of her friends who also study languages were “extremely upset about it.”

“The faculty members are so crucial to the experiences students have at Drury. It would be a shame to let these beloved professors go,” said Box, who knows two of the faculty members notified Friday. “Those professors taught a lot of classes and were extremely well liked by students.”

Box said the university should look at making cuts in others areas and keeping the faculty members.

“It’s always a difficulty position when a university is faced with funding issues like these but I don’t think the answer is cutting positions and harming the experience for students,” she said. “There are other options.”

The university currently has 132 full-time faculty, five part-time faculty and 18 adjuncts teaching in the day school. The university also operates a graduate school and a separate “continuing education” evening program for undergraduates.

Asked about the job cuts Monday, Brothers said a faculty meeting was held Thursday to explain the reductions were coming and those losing their jobs were notified Friday. He also provided a news release.

“Our faculty are Drury University’s most valued resource,” said Drury President David Manuel, in the release. “These are decisions that are not taken lightly and not made in haste. These decisions are not pleasant, but they are necessary, and we will support those affected as we move through the process.”

Two years ago, Manuel announced plans to cut department budgets by as much as 40 percent — but not touch faculty salaries or positions — citing a similar budget shortfall.

Brothers said the decision was made to cut positions in declining areas in order to put more resources in majors where Drury has experienced growth, or expects to see higher interest. He said the university hired new employees at the start of the year.

“This is not a hiring freeze or a layoff situation,” Brothers said Monday. “It’s a pivot point, it’s a strategic move.”

Also Monday, Brothers provided the News-Leader with a list of new undergraduate programs that are under development. Those include film and TV production, digital design, animation and professional writing.

“Institutions of higher education must become more nimble and technology-focused to attract incoming students and offer the types of majors that feed into careers of the future,” said Steven Combs, vice president for academic affairs, in the release. “We are moving proactively to enhance the student experience and build on what makes a Drury education an outstanding value for our students as they invest in their careers and seek out meaningful ways to make a difference in the world around them.”

A Facebook page called “Save Drury University as a Liberal Arts School” was created Monday evening. By 9 p.m., there were more than 1,000 members.

Sam Brady, a senior in English and political science, called it a “disservice” to students to cut positions in the humanities. “I’m shocked by it, to be honest,” he said.

Brady, who has taken classes in an acadmeic areas where cuts have been announced, said the jobs are integral to maintaining the university’s liberal arts focus.

“The humanities are very important. I think that’s what sets Drury apart is the focus on the liberal arts and our 10-to-1 student to faculty ratio,” he said. “It seems like cutting faculty should be the last resort.”

Brothers acknowledged that while the cuts were largely in the liberal arts, the university is still committed to providing a well-rounded education.

“We have to remain true to who we are,” he said. “We are committed to liberal arts.”

Box, who is enrolled in one of the academic areas where faculty cuts have been announced, said the campaign to save the 12 jobs will not stop with the Facebook page.

“Students are trying to contact alumni and others in the community who have an interest in Drury, as a whole, and in these programs,” she said.

Brothers said no other faculty cuts are expected this school year but if enrollment continues to decline in the future, cuts will be part of the conversation. “This is what we know for this year,” he said.

He said no decisions have yet been made about cutting other operating expenses, including supplies and administrative positions. “We are evaluating personnel and non-personnel through the fall,” he said.

Correction: Drury spokesman Mike Brothers originally attributed faculty cuts in specific areas, such as music, to “less demand.” In a follow-up story, the News-Leader allowed university officials to explain that demand was a factor but not the sole reason a cut was made.

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