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Purdue University at Calumet’s chapter of the American Association of University Professors alleges potential violations of shared governance in the planned layoffs of seven faculty members members last week, including six tenure-track professors. In a statement posted on its Facebook page Monday, Calumet AAUP President Marcus K. Rogers accuses the university of laying off the professors – which administrators blame on budget woes stemming from lower enrollments – while “actively hiring more administrators, increasing funding to the athletic program and hiring fitness assistants.”
Rogers also alleges that the layoffs “do not appear to have been conducted with the proper faculty input,” and urges university administrators to reconsider their decision.
In a statement to faculty issued Monday, Chancellor Thomas L. Keon said the faculty layoff notices were “regrettable but necessary,” and issued in in response to a $3 million campus revenue shortfall anticipated this fall, based on a 6 percent fall projected enrollment decline. As those layoffs -- including the professors’ would-be retirement funds -- only amount to $1 million, he said, other cuts to the university’s budget likely are forthcoming. “As I reported at the Town Hall meeting, I would be pleased to rescind any or all of the notices should we find that there are alternatives,” Keon said. “Additionally, the senior leadership team is committed to continue working with faculty and the Faculty Senate to explore other options.”
