Latest news with #Fithian
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Clark University announces plans to scale down operations; layoffs coming
(This story has been updated with additional information.) WORCESTER ― Clark University is planning substantial cutbacks and restructuring as the school grapples with lower enrollment and the public's changing attitude toward college, with a quarter of faculty expected to be laid off over the next two years. "Now is a challenging time for those in higher education," Clark President David Fithian said. "We are announcing this plan to refocus what you would call our educational offerings from a student perspective." In an interview with the Telegram & Gazette, Fithian and Vice President for Academic Affairs John Magee said the university will be restructured, with all programming encompassed in three different broad fields of study in The School of Climate, Environment and Society; The Center for Media Arts, Computing and Design; and in health and human behavior. "We want to pick areas of academic studies where we know that we are good at," Fithian said. "For smaller institutions, you can't do everything equally well and we have to pick and choose what we are good at and what we are going to do going forward." While the university does not intend on cutting any programs, many of the programs will be placed to fit within the three main schools, streamlining a lot of the administrative process. Clark officials stated that approximately 25% to 30% of faculty will have their positions eliminated over the next two years, although that number may change. The layoffs are expected to affect non-tenured, pre-tenured and adjunct faculty. A decline in enrollment was cited as the biggest factor behind the changes. Fithian said the incoming freshman class, the Class of 2029, contains just 430 students, approximately 150 fewer than the school has averaged in the past. Fithian said the loss of students for the upcoming school year translates to approximately $7 million is less revenue. Fithian added that the school has lost around $1.5 million this year in grant funding from the federal government, while adding that the total could change and it's possible new grants could supplant lost revenue. "There are some grants that are still getting approved for different programs — obviously some grants are being targeted more than others (for cancellation) but it's possible we have more grant money in the future," Fithian said. Fithian said several factors led to declining enrollment — the first that prospective students and their families have become more discerning about the college process. "There is this doubt on whether going to college is the best path coming out of high school, and college has gotten expensive and more and more families are struggling to pay for it," Fithian said. "We get questions now about demonstrating outcomes — and the number one question we get is asking what Clark students are paid one to three years after graduating. You hear a lot more questions about what our students do if they are, for example, a political science major." Another factor is what those in higher education refer to as the "demographic cliff," an upcoming period where there will be a shortage of college-aged students, reflective of fewer births since the Great Recession in the late 2000s. Fithian said that the goal with the changes at Clark is to better position the school to thrive at what is anticipated to be a smaller scale. "Colleges and universities have survived for as long as they have because they have not undertaken a lot of risks," Fithian said. "What we are finding is that the environment that exists today will not allow for that. There is not this sense that if we just stay the course, others will revert to that. What we are doing is acknowledging that we need to change." At the graduate-school level, where a majority of the students are international, concerns about federal policy regarding student visas, including an incident in April in which 12 Clark students had their visas revoked, has led to apprehension about attending school in the United States. More: 12 Clark students have visas revoked in latest blow to Worcester's international students "A lot of schools attract a lot of international students, and there is a lot of pause and apprehension coming from international students," Fithian said. "Last year there was a delay in appointments for visas and we learned in August that a good number of students couldn't get a visa appointment until October, November or December. I'm worried about that happening again — the visa appointments may get delayed or outright denied." Fithian added that he said the school may consider selling off real estate in the future. Fithian said that moving forward, Clark and any other institute of higher learning needs to improve at showcasing the benefits of its education. "What we need to do a better job across the board in higher ed is not just explaining outcomes that go beyond first-year salaries out of college, but to better connect what we think of is liberal arts education, broad-based learning to make sure students are exposed to a scientific perspective, a historical perspective," Fithian said. "We need to do a better job demonstrating that the education we provide that connects those disciplines and the value that has to graduates." This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Clark University announces restructuring and faculty layoffs
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Is your college on the list? More higher ed leaders challenge Trump admin.
A letter signed by college presidents pushing back against 'government overreach and political interference' by the Trump administration has been signed by nearly 200 college presidents and higher education leaders nationwide. When the letter was released early Tuesday, it was signed by about 100 higher-education leaders, but nearly 100 more leaders added their signatures in less than 24 hours. Massachusetts college presidents make up 16 of the signatures. Harvard University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Tufts University and Suffolk University are among the presidents from Massachusetts institutions that added their names to the letter, which MassLive obtained a copy of late Monday. The presidents are calling for 'one voice' in higher education against 'the unprecedented government overreach and political interference now endangering American higher education,' according to the letter. In an environment where presidents have feared speaking up against the Trump administration despite sweeping demands to reshape higher education, the letter is the first time current presidents have come together in large numbers to express their concerns publicly. Clark University's president, David Fithian, told MassLive Tuesday morning that now is a 'time for courage and for standing up for what we think is right.' While Clark isn't as large as other institutions, nor does it have the level of resources as institutions like Harvard, he said it is crucial to stand up because 'an attack on one is an attack on all of us." 'Nothing that is happening right now in higher education through executive orders is helping our students, our faculty or our country,' Fithian said. 'It's instilling fear and anger evidently by design and that's never the right environment to do our best work ... or to move our country forward.' A key concern of Fithian's is that 13 Clark students have had their visas revoked without explanation — an action that is occurring across the country. A 'key component' of the way the institution educates students is through a diversity of perspectives, experiences and backgrounds, Fithian said. Drawing students from around the world is 'fundamental to fulfilling our mission.' International students comprise about 35% of Clark's student body, including undergraduates and graduates, he said. " We're already hearing from students who are uncertain about coming to the United States to start their education, an educational program at Clark. And for students already here, they're obviously deeply concerned about their ability to stay, their ability to travel home and return and their ability to continue to study the subjects that they came to study and the right we all enjoy to speak freely about world matters," Fithian said. He said he and other presidents who signed the letter embrace free expression and academic freedom principles. What is problematic in this moment is the federal government 'dictating to colleges and universities how we should think, how we should teach, what we should research and how we should act as if there's only one way or right way to do that,' Read more: Is Harvard's resistance to Trump igniting a broader movement across higher ed? The Massachusetts college and university presidents who signed the letter, entitled 'A Call for Constructive Engagement,' include: Michael A. Elliott, Amherst College Alan M. Garber, Harvard University Sally Kornbluth, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Sunil Kumar, Tufts University Harry Dumay, Elms College David Fithian, Clark University Melissa Gilliam, Boston University Paula A. Johnson, Wellesley College Maud S. Mandel, Williams College Vincent Rougeau, College of the Holy Cross Philip J. Sisson, Middlesex Community College James Vander Hooven, Mount Wachusett Community College Sarah Willie-LeBreton, Smith College Lane A. Glenn, Northern Essex Community College Marisa Kelly, Suffolk University Michaele Whelan, Wheaton College Holy Cross' president Vincent Rougeau said in a statement to MassLive that there has been 'clear government overreach into what colleges teach, how they teach and who they teach.' 'The strength of our colleges and universities is key to American prosperity, and that strength is built on a longstanding tradition of academic freedom. I was proud to join with the leaders of a wide variety of institutions to say that, while we are open to constructive conversations about reform, we will oppose any efforts to undermine academic freedom and our institutions' independence,' Rougeau said. In an email to the Williams College community, president Maud Mandel said it is important that the institution be a part of the letter 'as a complement to our advocacy for the specific benefits of a liberal arts education.' "As I did in March, I again ask each of you to join us in defending and building appreciation for higher education in this country. Williams is one small part of a much larger educational landscape that can only thrive if the wider sector is flourishing," she said. The letter, released by the American Association of Colleges and Universities, comes after Harvard, a private university, refused to comply with a list of demands from the federal government and, as a result, the Trump administration froze billions of dollars in federal funding and is threatening to withdraw Harvard's tax-exempt status. The demands include allowing the federal government to audit student, professor and staff viewpoints, sharing all hiring data with the government, which would be subjected to an audit and giving leadership power to those 'most devoted' to enacting the demanded changes, and stripping it away from those who aren't. On Monday, Harvard sued the federal government, arguing its constitutional rights have been violated. 'There's an increase in momentum and I think Harvard standing up to the Trump administration has catalyzed these efforts,' said Lynn Pasquerella, the former president of Mount Holyoke College who now serves as president of the American Association of Colleges and Universities. The Trump administration has also frozen federal funding at most other Ivy League schools and Northwestern University, signed an executive order to dismantle the Department of Education, canceled research grants and began investigations into many universities and colleges across the country. Until now, faculty senates had led the way in publicly speaking out against the Trump administration. Several of the Big Ten schools decided to band together in 'mutual defense.' The University of Massachusetts Amherst is doing something similar. Fithian said he is open to exploring a wide range of collaborations with other institutions, including alliances similar to those occurring at Big Ten schools. The letter is open to additional signatures. The group of presidents convened Monday evening to determine the most effective way to maintain the momentum from the letter and what the next paths forward are, Pasquerella said. " The fundamental purpose of American higher education is for the public good. We're not here to serve individual students or ourselves, but society as a whole and to engage them in answering the question, 'What can we do for you?' So the collective voice comes from, then, looking at the many ways in which we can carry this work forward and change the narrative positively," Pasquerella said. Trump's Republican critics hit his flip-flop on weaponizing the IRS Trump admin letter to Harvard sent in error, sparking battle Is Harvard's resistance to Trump igniting a broader movement across higher ed? Trump admin demands Harvard report its foreign investments. Harvard says it has Layoffs begin amid 'budget crisis' at Harvard's Chan School of Public Health Read the original article on MassLive.
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
‘An attack on all of us': Nearly 200 college presidents challenge Trump
A letter signed by college presidents pushing back against 'government overreach and political interference' by the Trump administration has been signed by nearly 200 college presidents and higher education leaders nationwide. When the letter was released early Tuesday, it was signed by about 100 higher-education leaders, but nearly 100 more leaders added their signatures in less than 24 hours. Massachusetts college presidents make up 16 of the signatures. Harvard University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Tufts University and Suffolk University are among the presidents from Massachusetts institutions that added their names to the letter, which MassLive obtained a copy of late Monday. The presidents are calling for 'one voice' in higher education against 'the unprecedented government overreach and political interference now endangering American higher education,' according to the letter. In an environment where presidents have feared speaking up against the Trump administration despite sweeping demands to reshape higher education, the letter is the first time current presidents have come together in large numbers to express their concerns publicly. Clark University's president, David Fithian, told MassLive Tuesday morning that now is a 'time for courage and for standing up for what we think is right.' While Clark isn't as large as other institutions, nor does it have the level of resources as institutions like Harvard, he said it is crucial to stand up because 'an attack on one is an attack on all of us." 'Nothing that is happening right now in higher education through executive orders is helping our students, our faculty or our country,' Fithian said. 'It's instilling fear and anger evidently by design and that's never the right environment to do our best work ... or to move our country forward.' A key concern of Fithian's is that 13 Clark students have had their visas revoked without explanation — an action that is occurring across the country. A 'key component' of the way the institution educates students is through a diversity of perspectives, experiences and backgrounds, Fithian said. Drawing students from around the world is 'fundamental to fulfilling our mission.' International students comprise about 45% of Clark's student body, including undergraduates and graduates, he said. " We're already hearing from students who are uncertain about coming to the United States to start their education, an educational program at Clark. And for students already here, they're obviously deeply concerned about their ability to stay, their ability to travel home and return and their ability to continue to study the subjects that they came to study and the right we all enjoy to speak freely about world matters," Fithian said. He said he and other presidents who signed the letter embrace free expression and academic freedom principles. What is problematic in this moment is the federal government 'dictating to colleges and universities how we should think, how we should teach, what we should research and how we should act as if there's only one way or right way to do that,' Read more: Is Harvard's resistance to Trump igniting a broader movement across higher ed? The Massachusetts college and university presidents who signed the letter, entitled 'A Call for Constructive Engagement,' include: Michael A. Elliott, Amherst College Alan M. Garber, Harvard University Sally Kornbluth, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Sunil Kumar, Tufts University Harry Dumay, Elms College David Fithian, Clark University Melissa Gilliam, Boston University Paula A. Johnson, Wellesley College Maud S. Mandel, Williams College Vincent Rougeau, College of the Holy Cross Philip J. Sisson, Middlesex Community College James Vander Hooven, Mount Wachusett Community College Sarah Willie-LeBreton, Smith College Lane A. Glenn, Northern Essex Community College Marisa Kelly, Suffolk University Michaele Whelan, Wheaton College Holy Cross' president Vincent Rougeau said in a statement to MassLive that there has been 'clear government overreach into what colleges teach, how they teach and who they teach.' 'The strength of our colleges and universities is key to American prosperity, and that strength is built on a longstanding tradition of academic freedom. I was proud to join with the leaders of a wide variety of institutions to say that, while we are open to constructive conversations about reform, we will oppose any efforts to undermine academic freedom and our institutions' independence,' Rougeau said. The letter, released by the American Association of Colleges and Universities, comes after Harvard, a private university, refused to comply with a list of demands from the federal government and, as a result, the Trump administration froze billions of dollars in federal funding and is threatening to withdraw Harvard's tax-exempt status. The demands include allowing the federal government to audit student, professor and staff viewpoints, sharing all hiring data with the government, which would be subjected to an audit and giving leadership power to those 'most devoted' to enacting the demanded changes, and stripping it away from those who aren't. On Monday, Harvard sued the federal government, arguing its constitutional rights have been violated. 'There's an increase in momentum and I think Harvard standing up to the Trump administration has catalyzed these efforts,' said Lynn Pasquerella, the former president of Mount Holyoke College who now serves as president of the American Association of Colleges and Universities. The Trump administration has also frozen federal funding at most other Ivy League schools and Northwestern University, signed an executive order to dismantle the Department of Education, canceled research grants and began investigations into many universities and colleges across the country. Until now, faculty senates had led the way in publicly speaking out against the Trump administration. Several of the Big Ten schools decided to band together in 'mutual defense.' The University of Massachusetts Amherst is doing something similar. Fithian said he is open to exploring a wide range of collaborations with other institutions, including alliances similar to those occurring at Big Ten schools. The letter is open to additional signatures. The group of presidents convened Monday evening to determine the most effective way to maintain the momentum from the letter and what the next paths forward are, Pasquerella said. " The fundamental purpose of American higher education is for the public good. We're not here to serve individual students or ourselves, but society as a whole and to engage them in answering the question, 'What can we do for you?' So the collective voice comes from, then, looking at the many ways in which we can carry this work forward and change the narrative positively," Pasquerella said. Trump's Republican critics hit his flip-flop on weaponizing the IRS Trump admin letter to Harvard sent in error, sparking battle Is Harvard's resistance to Trump igniting a broader movement across higher ed? Trump admin demands Harvard report its foreign investments. Harvard says it has Layoffs begin amid 'budget crisis' at Harvard's Chan School of Public Health
