As a new fiscal year approaches for many in higher education, colleges and universities are taking a close look at their finances.
Institutions facing recent or long-term enrollment declines are increasingly downsizing, sometimes gently, sometimes dramatically.
While universities are seeing headcount reductions when they consolidate operating or academic units, other institutions are trying to cut costs through surgical, limited, but still painful, staff cuts.
Other — Included Delta State University and St. Cloud State University — announced significant cuts to portfolios, programs and faculty positions as it seeks to focus on its highest-performing majors.
Cuts always carry the risk of institutional downsizing, but leaders are increasingly viewing budget cuts as a matter of long-term health, if not survival. We've also seen a few institutions try to balance cuts in one area with investments in other areas, such as new programs or salary increases.
With talk of high costs, looming enrollment shortages and overcrowding in higher education, the cuts are a sign of the times. Let’s take a look at the restructuring moves recently announced by institutions.