Less than a week after Emporia State University announced plans to close its Center for Early Childhood Education next year and demolish Butcher Education Center after that, over 150 people — including Emporia State students and staff as well as community members — have signed a petition asking university leadership to reconsider.
A four-page letter available on Google Docs says the upcoming closure of CECE comes at a time when child care availability “is in crisis,” meaning Emporia State’s stated goal of working with parents to find new options will likely not be successful. It also says there is a lack of quality child care, in addition to the lack of child care overall, which sets children back as they begin their education.
The letter says CECE also serves a unique role for parents who happen to be faculty and staff at ESU, so there is a concern about recruitment and retention for employees who are also parents of young children.
Joanna Greiss, a biological sciences professor with a child currently enrolled in CECE, says there was no indication a closure was even on the radar. She says the ripple effect indicates a local crisis in childcare, and that’s before the 40 slots at CECE go away next year.
Another parent who has two children enrolled — and who asked not to be named — says the May 20 announcement has left her scrambling to find suitable options.
The center will close August 2023. Plans for the space and non-childcare-related programs have not been finalized.
