Economy forces cuts
Laura Howell
Issue date: 3/27/09 Section: News
"The times call for some response," Byrd said. He said that the decisions were made on many different levels and not in a vacuum.
Terry Dennis, the vice president of finance and administration, said that the college took a close look at every program to put the available dollars where they are most needed.
"[Next school year] has been one of the hardest years to budget for because of uncertainties," Dennis said. "We are being cautious this year for the next years."
Huneycutt said, "I don't think the economy is going to turn around fast enough to bolster FSC's budget for next year, but we can still be hopeful that the recession won't affect our students as much as we are afraid it might."
Byrd acknowledged the excellence of the professors and the various benefits that they have brought to FSC both in and out of their departments. He said that the academic contracts played a role in the decisions as well.
"We had to look at the totality of the programs," Byrd said. "It was not an easy decision to make."
"All of us have been affected to some extent," Smith said. "In these times, the institution has to survive, even if the decision is perceived as unpopular."
Huneycutt said that if the department loses a professor it will affect the department and students a great deal. He mentioned that first-year creative writing professor Dr. Erica Bernheim's position has not been officially renewed.
"We can find someone with good qualifications to teach creative writing, but it would be very difficult to find someone with Dr. Bernheim's qualifications anytime soon because she really is extraordinary," he said.
"The quality of what she does and her talent would be hard to replaces as both a teacher and as a creative writer and poet."
Michal Sierens, a junior graphic design major, agreed that the art department will be affected by the cuts too.
"I was really upset when I found out that they were laying off Dr. Ligia Carvallo off because she is pretty much the backbone of the graphic design program, and it is a really unfortunate situation," Sierens said. "Hopefully, the graphic design program will be able to recover and come back even stronger."
Terry Dennis, the vice president of finance and administration, said that the college took a close look at every program to put the available dollars where they are most needed.
"[Next school year] has been one of the hardest years to budget for because of uncertainties," Dennis said. "We are being cautious this year for the next years."
Huneycutt said, "I don't think the economy is going to turn around fast enough to bolster FSC's budget for next year, but we can still be hopeful that the recession won't affect our students as much as we are afraid it might."
Byrd acknowledged the excellence of the professors and the various benefits that they have brought to FSC both in and out of their departments. He said that the academic contracts played a role in the decisions as well.
"We had to look at the totality of the programs," Byrd said. "It was not an easy decision to make."
"All of us have been affected to some extent," Smith said. "In these times, the institution has to survive, even if the decision is perceived as unpopular."
Huneycutt said that if the department loses a professor it will affect the department and students a great deal. He mentioned that first-year creative writing professor Dr. Erica Bernheim's position has not been officially renewed.
"We can find someone with good qualifications to teach creative writing, but it would be very difficult to find someone with Dr. Bernheim's qualifications anytime soon because she really is extraordinary," he said.
"The quality of what she does and her talent would be hard to replaces as both a teacher and as a creative writer and poet."
Michal Sierens, a junior graphic design major, agreed that the art department will be affected by the cuts too.
"I was really upset when I found out that they were laying off Dr. Ligia Carvallo off because she is pretty much the backbone of the graphic design program, and it is a really unfortunate situation," Sierens said. "Hopefully, the graphic design program will be able to recover and come back even stronger."
Viewing Comments 1 - 4 of 5
Debbie Hearon
posted 3/31/09 @ 7:46 PM EST
I am writing in response to the faculty and budget cuts. Why doesn't the school start making cuts in the area of landscaping and beautification programs? And then, put this money towards education where it should be in the first place. (Continued…)
Jamie
posted 4/02/09 @ 12:06 AM EST
You might want to proof read the end. There is a repeat of the article. :-D
Tampa Movers
posted 4/13/09 @ 10:25 AM EST
Unfortunately cuts do have to happen when there is a shortage of money. But it's hopefully only temporary and will improve when the economy bounces back. (Continued…)
MoVINg SoFTwaRe
posted 4/27/09 @ 4:23 PM EST
That's sad about laying off the best teachers though.. I mean it's one thing to end activities or extra curricular things, but to get rid of the QUALITY of education? Hmph. (Continued…)
Post a Comment