By Dave Lucas
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wamc/local-wamc-872463.mp3
Albany, NY – 14 faculty jobs lost at Vassar, 14 staff positions cut at Utica College --- the schools are scaling back, blaming tough financial times. Capital District Bureau Chief Dave Lucas reports.
Two colleges have been forced to make cuts in reaction to the shakey economy. 14 faculty jobs at Vassar, 14 staff positions at Utica College --- the schools scaling back, blaming tough financial times. At Vassar, students, faculty and workers organized as the Campus Solidarity Working Group protested Wednesday afternoon on campus. Support staff have also been laid off or lost their usual summer work in earlier rounds of cuts that affected about three dozen workers. Contracts that expire at the end of June may not be renewed. There are more than 300 faculty at the college.
Central New York's Utica collge is enacting cuts aimed at saving at least $1.3 million. 14 staff positions at various levels are being eliminated, including 11 full-time and three part-time positions. College President Todd Hutton says even more layoffs could come should the state cut additional college funding ... Faculty members on campus have been working without a contract for more than 1 years. Negotiations are going before a federal mediator. Hutton notes the measures will not interrupt or reduce services to students. Utica College employs approximately 600 full and part-time employees, including contract employees in the bookstore, campus safety, maintenance, and food service areas.