Latest news with #SOU
Time of India
04-08-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Southern Oregon University declares financial exigency, targets $5 million budget reduction
SOU cuts 15 majors and 64 jobs in US higher education budget crisis Southern Oregon University (SOU) has declared financial exigency as part of a proposed plan to reduce its budget by 15% over a period of three years. The plan, aimed at cutting more than $5 million in expenses in the current fiscal year alone, includes the elimination of more than a dozen academic programmes and approximately 64 full-time employee positions. The announcement follows a series of financial difficulties faced by the university, attributed to multiple factors including reduced state support, rising operational costs, and recent federal actions under US President Donald Trump's administration, which are expected to reduce funding available to students, as reported by OPB. Academic programmes and staff reductions The proposed plan includes the elimination of 15 majors and 11 minors. Among the affected majors are chemistry, ecology, and economics. The restructuring will also impact a number of interdisciplinary programmes, including the Native American Studies (NAS) minor, which is to be merged with Gender, Sexuality and Women's Studies and Ethnic and Racial Studies. According to OPB, around 64 full-time employees will be affected by the restructuring. This includes voluntary retirements and positions left unfilled, but approximately 20 employees will face direct job eliminations. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Learn More - How Watching Videos Can Boost Your Income TheDaddest Undo The proposal targets staff reductions in multiple departments: over 13 full-time equivalent roles from the College of Arts and Humanities, more than eight from the College of Natural and Social Sciences, five from the School of Education, and one from the School of Business. Declaration of financial exigency and administrative measures The declaration of financial exigency activates a provision in the faculty union contract, which allows the university to make significant budget-related cuts. The union has 20 university days to provide feedback on the proposed plan. SOU President Rick Bailey stated that the measure was essential for institutional transformation. 'It's going to allow us to do the transformative things that we need to do as an institution,' he said, as quoted by OPB. He emphasised that the university was not closing, declaring bankruptcy, or in any imminent danger of doing so. Bailey has taken a voluntary 20% pay cut. Earlier in the same week, the president of the union representing service employees offered to reduce their salary by 50%, contingent on equivalent action from the administration, according to OPB. Previous budget plan and current challenges The current proposal follows a prior fiscal realignment plan known as SOU Forward, introduced two years ago, which led to the reduction of 82 full-time equivalent positions—approximately 13% of the university's staff. Bailey admitted during a recent press conference that the earlier savings were not aligned with a well-defined strategic vision, as reported by OPB. SOU has also faced additional financial pressures due to declining student enrolment, low retention rates, and increased costs for medical and retirement benefits. Community response and future plans At a community meeting, strong opposition emerged regarding the proposed changes to the NAS programme. Lupe Sims, an SOU alumna and White Mountain Apache Tribe descendant, expressed concern over the programme's future. 'This is not just money. This is our culture. This is who we are,' she said, as quoted by OPB. Bailey concluded the meeting by reaffirming his responsibility for the plan and expressing confidence in the university's long-term prospects, stating, 'Everything that's in this provisional plan I own,' as reported by OPB. TOI Education is on WhatsApp now. Follow us here . Ready to navigate global policies? Secure your overseas future. Get expert guidance now!
Time of India
04-06-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Narmada calling: 135-km trail for eco-explorers
Gandhinagar: The Gujarat govt is stepping up its ecotourism game with a 135-km ultra-marathon nature trail along the banks of the Narmada. The trail, stretching from Hafeshwar Mahadev Temple to Kevadiya — home to the world's largest statue, the (SOU) — will cater to both serious athletes and laid-back walkers seeking a natural escape. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The route will meander through the scenic back country and include support utilities every few kilometres. Officials are banking on the Statue of Unity's popularity to give this ambitious project a global spotlight. According to officials in the state environment and forest department, the trail will wind through a striking landscape of ravines, hills, and riverine plains. "It will be built along natural contour lines and will include basic infrastructure like cross-drainage structures, rest points, and utility setups," said an official. The initial 48-km stretch will run through the Kwant (21km) and Naswadi (27km) talukas of Chhota Udepur district. " The trail will evolve organically as more people begin to use it. It is not a rigid path, but one shaped by natural usage. Once stabilized, the route will support a variety of nature-based adventure activities — from hiking to ultra-distance trail running," a senior official said, adding that the trail will offer breathtaking views of the Narmada on one side and hills with dense tree cover on the other side. "The forest department also plans to train local youth as trail guides to enhance the visitor experience with stories about the local ecosystem, flora and fauna, and tribal traditions, said an official involved with the conceptualisation of the project. The forest department has begun the process of developing basic utilities every few kilometres for nature lovers, hikers, and trail runners. "We are also trying to identify local homestays and other facilities to support trekkers and tourists," said an official. Officials believe this initiative could transform the route into a new eco-tourism circuit, extending the tourism footprint of the Statue of Unity region.
BBC News
21-03-2025
- BBC News
Lincolnshire men sentenced after 'cockerels trained on treadmill'
Two men who were involved in illegal cockfighting, in which cockerels were being trained on treadmills, have been Steele, 53, and Douglas Price, 34, both of Poplar Meadow, Sleaford Road, Beckingham, Lincolnshire, were found by officers to have dozens of cockerels, hens and chicks in enclosures along with cockfighting items during a search of their premises in May 2024. The RSPCA said its investigation also found two dead chicks at the site and there was "little or no food or water" for the remaining animals, which were "kept in dark, cramped and dirty pens".Both men were handed ten-week jail terms suspended by 12 months at Lincoln Magistrates' Court. The RSPCA's Special Operations Unit (SOU) also dismantled two fighting pits and seized several the raid, investigators had found a "cockerel treadmill", a spokesperson said. "This was cylindrical and in the shape of a ferris wheel," said one unnamed officer."It is an item I recognise [that was] used to condition and train cockerels to increase their fitness and stamina." Steele admitted three offences under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 including being present at a cock fight, failing to get veterinary treatment for a bird's wounds and failing to treat several others for admitted two offences under the same act which were keeping cockerels for the purpose of fighting and failing to provide adequate food for birds or investigate their poor men were also ordered to each pay £1,000 costs and carry out 150 hours unpaid work when they were sentenced on 11 was banned from keeping chickens, cockerels and wild birds for life and Price was disqualified from keeping them for a minimum of one year. However, he can apply to terminate the order in 12 month's time. A spokesperson for the SOU said: "All of these birds suffered because of the unsuitable conditions they were kept in and the purpose they were being kept for."It is a relief we were able to take them away from that and get them the kind of care, medical treatment, food and water they should have been provided James Knychala, rural, wildlife and heritage crime officer for Lincolnshire Police, said: "Ultimately, the result means serious disruption to the underworld of cock fighting which we believe will be felt across the country."It's illegal and barbaric and has no place in our society." Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.
