Unfortunately, Keene State continues to feel the effects of the multi-million dollar budget cuts from the New Hampshire state government.
A total of 17 staff and 12 faculty positions are now up for elimination, as KSC administrators have been tasked with deciding whose jobs are on the chopping block. Staff cut notifications are expected to come on November 18, while faculty are being offered separation incentive packages to create more savings for KSC.
The Equinox believes that laying off employees is an unfortunate “solution” to meet the state’s requirements for funding. Many of the faculty and staff here at Keene State were previous students, individuals who have dedicated a large portion of their lives to this institution. They made the foundation of Keene State, which started as a teaching institution. Yet now, we have to lose some teachers just to make ends meet.
While the KSC administration decides which employees they can “afford” to lose, students and staff alike continue their days normally, unsure whether or not their professor will be teaching class next semester – or, for staff, if they get to continue working their job. If there were more transparency from the administration in regards to these impending eliminations, it would relieve some of the stress coming from uncertainty.
Nobody should have to wake up every day and wonder if they’ll still have a job in a couple of months.
The Equinox feels it is important to understand that these reductions in workforce are nothing anyone truly wants. But is this so-called solution really the most feasible way to meet budget requirements?
We feel that it is unfair to put the responsibility of deciding which staff we can “live without” onto the KSC administration, as the school has already sacrificed enough resources this past year – especially as former President Melinda Treadwell has just made her exit. With so much uncertainty lying around since reports of the state’s budget cuts and the Donald Trump administration’s lack of support for education, the KSC community deserves some stability.
While we acknowledge the enrollment challenges institutions across the country face due to declining birth rates, it is still important to support the students who currently attend and will in years to come.
These budget cuts have already proved unsustainable and the fact so many will lose their jobs over the decisions of some empty suits in Concord, N.H. is nothing short of disappointing and sad.
As always, we encourage civic engagement. Reach out to legislators, protest against out-of-touch politicians and run for office yourself if you can.
If things continue at the pace they have been going, there may come a time when Keene State and the other University System of New Hampshire institutions can no longer cut corners financially. When higher education in the state ceases to exist, is that when our legislators will finally be content?
