Triggered by fear of lower fall enrollment; claimed some faculty let go without severance and less than a week of health insurance
In a story written by Arizona Republic reporter Rachel Leingang, which appeared June 12, 2020, it was reported that Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff had eliminated more than 100 faculty positions. All of them were non-tenured faculty.
Although the University has not released the actual number let go, most believe the figure is more than 100, somewhere around 10% of total faculty. The decision was made because of fear of reduced fall enrollment.
Several employees told the Arizona Republic that they were “devastated to see their positions eliminated.” They also said they had courses scheduled for the upcoming semester that had full or near-full enrollment, so they were surprised to be let go.
There have been a flurry of letters to the editor from professors, parents and alumni in the Arizona Daily Sun questioning why eliminating these employees’ contracts happened before other, broader efforts were made to save money. History professor Leilah Danielson wrote in one letter. “But the degree, timing, and extent of these cuts is unprecedented and unnecessarily callous.”
You may find the entire Arizona Republic story by Ms. Leingang by clicking here.