Rider University in New Jersey Planning to Cut 25% of Professors
“Between 35 and 40 faculty members will lose their jobs by the end of December”
The union that represents professors here is trying to help them, but it sounds like this is a real money problem.
NJ.com reports:
N.J. university plans to cut 25% of professors — but its union is pushing back
The union representing full-time faculty members and other employees at Rider University is challenging the administration’s plan for layoffs, salary cuts and other changes.
The private university announced the layoff plan last week as it attempts to dig itself out of a financial crisis that is threatening the school’s accreditation.
“From our perspective, these are proposals. We do not accept that they can unilaterally change the terms and conditions of the faculty bargaining unit,” said Jeffrey Halpern, contract administrator and chief grievance officer for Rider’s chapter of the American Association of University Professors union.
Halpern told NJ Advance Media the administration’s cuts run counter to the union’s contract with Rider and the school did not provide sufficient notice for layoffs.
“We are not taking the position that the university is not in financial trouble, but we need to get a clear picture on where we stand. This is an ongoing negotiation, unfortunately under a shorter timeframe,” Halpern said.
Rider’s president said last week that the school is moving ahead with “urgent and severe choices” after the private university in Mercer County was placed on probation by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, the organization that accredits colleges in New Jersey.
Between 35 and 40 faculty members will lose their jobs by the end of December, salaries for all employees will be reduced by 14% by Dec. 1 and retirement contributions will be suspended, according to Rider’s March to Sustainability plan approved by the Board of Trustees.
Rider also plans to end faculty tuition remission — a benefit common in higher education in which tuition is waived or reduced for employees and their spouses or dependents. The benefit will end starting with the 2026-27 academic year.
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Comments
Will the union be happy if the University folds? Then all their members will be equal, equally unemployed that is.
if they end remission .. and my kids wud have to pay to go there just like
any other college … why would I send em there ….
You’d need a heart of stone not to laugh….