2008 Woodie Awards
Rockhurst cuts budget for 2007-2008
Emma Green
Issue date: 2/5/07 Section: News
The Rockhurst community knew changes had to be made in the budget, and everyone wondered whether certain programs would be cut. However, students, faculty and staff were not left wondering for long. While still on winter break, Rockhurst President Thomas Curran sent a mass email to students bearing the news that about six percent, or 20 members, of the faculty and staff would no longer hold their positions at the university. Furthermore, two departments, sociology and computer sciences, would be eliminated from the curriculum at the close of this school year. Curran described the decision as "difficult and painful" but in accordance with an ongoing plan to return Rockhurst to a position of fiscal integrity.
Though the cutbacks in staff were not the only implementations of the plan, they can be viewed as the most personal. Dr. Marilyn Carroll had no plans to retire as the chair of the Sociology Department, but will officially do so in May. Despite the fact that the teaching veteran has been with Rockhurst for 38 plus years, her position is one that is being eliminated. Carroll's department along with computer sciences has been cut because of small enrollments, which were unable to counterbalance expenses such as faculty salaries as the reason they were abolished. Having seen the data, Dr. Carroll not only understands the end result but may well have made a similar decision. Though she finds it hard to imagine a university without sociology, she is confident the discipline will be restored when Rockhurst has the financial means to support it.
Some students were also affected by this decision. Chrissy Fornal will be graduating with a degree in sociology in May, but sympathizes with students left with uncertainty about their plans. Six students had planned to major in the discipline, but only three will finish by May. Currently, there is only one computer science student who is also planning to be at commencement in the spring. The Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, Shirley Scritchfield, said that affected students are being urged to meet with the director of academic advising to establish their best options for graduating as scheduled.
Dr. Matt Quick is pleased with the way the delicate matter was handled by all parties. Quick said that all staff members affected by the reduction were offered severance pay, personal counseling and professional job placement assistance. Dr. Carroll agrees that Rockhurst has been very generous with regards to her severance especially. Furthermore, Quick was impressed with the camaraderie that was shown among returning and departing staff and faculty. Both he and President Curran view the cutbacks as unfortunate but are enthusiastic about collaborating with both employees and students to shape Rockhurst into a stronger and more focused institution of higher learning in the Jesuit tradition.
Though the cutbacks in staff were not the only implementations of the plan, they can be viewed as the most personal. Dr. Marilyn Carroll had no plans to retire as the chair of the Sociology Department, but will officially do so in May. Despite the fact that the teaching veteran has been with Rockhurst for 38 plus years, her position is one that is being eliminated. Carroll's department along with computer sciences has been cut because of small enrollments, which were unable to counterbalance expenses such as faculty salaries as the reason they were abolished. Having seen the data, Dr. Carroll not only understands the end result but may well have made a similar decision. Though she finds it hard to imagine a university without sociology, she is confident the discipline will be restored when Rockhurst has the financial means to support it.
Some students were also affected by this decision. Chrissy Fornal will be graduating with a degree in sociology in May, but sympathizes with students left with uncertainty about their plans. Six students had planned to major in the discipline, but only three will finish by May. Currently, there is only one computer science student who is also planning to be at commencement in the spring. The Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, Shirley Scritchfield, said that affected students are being urged to meet with the director of academic advising to establish their best options for graduating as scheduled.
Dr. Matt Quick is pleased with the way the delicate matter was handled by all parties. Quick said that all staff members affected by the reduction were offered severance pay, personal counseling and professional job placement assistance. Dr. Carroll agrees that Rockhurst has been very generous with regards to her severance especially. Furthermore, Quick was impressed with the camaraderie that was shown among returning and departing staff and faculty. Both he and President Curran view the cutbacks as unfortunate but are enthusiastic about collaborating with both employees and students to shape Rockhurst into a stronger and more focused institution of higher learning in the Jesuit tradition.
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