Emporia State University is planning to announce its “reimagined” programs over the next few weeks after approval of its Framework for Workforce Management and over 30 staff cuts last week. However, ESU will not announce the official impact of those dismissals and terminations by department.
Director of Media Relations Gwen Larson says the impact by department may become obvious as ESU announces its list of “reimagined” programs over the next two weeks or so. Larson also tells KVOE News the new program alignment will likely not be revealed in one announcement.
The clarification comes almost two weeks after campus administrators officially sought program changes and related staff cuts through Kansas Board of Regents approval of Emporia State’s Framework for Workforce Management, which came this past Wednesday. Dismissals followed Thursday and Friday.
9:30 pm Monday: Campus, community gathers to honor the 33 staff members dismissed over past week Monday night
Candlelight, music, affirmation and a sense of mourning were all key components of the latest demonstration in response to Emporia State University’s workforce management framework.
Between last Thursday and Friday, the university dismissed more than 30 staff members following approval of the framework by the Kansas Board of Regents Wednesday afternoon. Since the announcement of the framework was made public two weeks ago, ESU students, faculty and staff have not been shy to let their feelings on the matter be heard.
This includes ESU senior sociology student Savanna Crowley who attended a candlelight vigil organized by ESU and Emporia community members on the grounds of the ESU campus Monday evening. Crowley says she’s frustrated by the university’s narrative of the framework being “all about students.”
Crowley stated she has considered “dropping out” in her final year due to the situation.
Professor Emeritus of History Dr. Loren Pennington was among those who spoke Monday night.
Understandably, other faculty and staff have been reluctant to speak with the media over the past week. One organizer of Monday’s event agreed to an interview under the condition neither their name nor voice be used.
When asked if they feel there is any other way this could have gone that would have been acceptable, they stated “I don’t think there are any winners in this. Nobody won last week. So at this point we are all just waiting to hear some answers.” They also stated they were grateful to see the support of university students saying “it’s what keeps us going right now.”
The university has yet to announce the impacts to departments or which programs may be adversely affected due to realignment efforts by the university.
Unless they are fired for cause, affected staffers can work through the academic year and be eligible for three months of severance pay. Faculty and staff can also appeal, with the process taking 100 days or longer.
The realignment comes as the ESU Foundation is soliciting potential donors so students can work with “outstanding and supportive professors.”
