Western Illinois University cuts to hit full-time, tenured faculty next (2024)

Staff cuts at Western Illinois University will hit full-time professors and tenured faculty next.

During a special meeting Tuesday morning, the WIU Board of Trustees unanimously approved staff reduction procedures to continue through June 30, 2025, though the number of cuts expected was not specified.

WIU cut 36 "Unit B" employees — part-time staff, academic support professionals and associate faculty— in early July.

"I have been a Leatherneck for nearly 27 years of my life," former WIU communications instructor David Zannola said Tuesday. "On June 28, I was notified that as of July 1 — only three days later— I would no longer be employed by the university."

Zannola, also a WIU graduate, said he looked forward to teaching his students this fall.

"Now, some of those classes have been forced onto my surviving colleagues as overload, while other sections in my department have been completely canceled," he said.

Everett Hamner, an English professor at the WIU-QC campus in Moline, already had concerns for the students and his colleagues in Macomb.

"The early July layoffs already had painful effects for both campuses," he told the Quad-City Times/Dispatch-Argus on Monday. "It remains unclear what will happen (Tuesday), but whatever additional cuts may occur, this is a very difficult period for us."

University leaders cited enrollment declines and financial stability— including a $22 million budget deficit— as the leading factors behind the cuts. Total enrollment at both WIU campuses was 6,495 in spring 2024, an 18% decrease from five years ago.

"I want to acknowledge the gravity of these decisions, and the profound impact (personnel reductions) will have on our dedicated faculty and staff (and) our Macomb and Quad-Cities communities," Interim WIU President Kristi Mindrup said Tuesday. "Truly, it is heartbreaking to come to this point…we are at a crossroads, with no choice but to make a significant financial shift for the ultimate sustainability of (WIU)."

Personnel comprises 80% of WIU's budget, Mindrup said. To address financial stability, she said university leaders must do two things: acknowledge the reality of anticipated WIU enrollment cliffs and right-size staffing. Other universities nationwide are making similar decisions, she said.

"Our institution must change to move forward, and we will move forward," she added.

By reducing staff, Mindrup said WIU will be better equipped to focus on student retention; expand into new markets, such as enhancing its online and adult learner programs; better align withequity initiatives and respond to regional workforce development needs.

To prevent future layoffs, she and other WIU leaders plan to "commit to ongoing (resource maximization) practices" and say they won't approve another budget with structural deficits.

"Our expectations and commitment (last year) was that spending would be aligned with revenue," said WIU Board Chair Carin Stutz.

In the past, she said WIU has bridged revenue gaps by tapping into its restricted funds, but that has depleted those funds.

"We now have a cash flow issue, and that's why we're all in this room today," Stutz said.

She acknowledged previous WIU personnel and program cuts, saying "no one wants to go through this again."

"We truly appreciate the depth of concern you feel for your jobs, the jobs of your colleagues (and) the future of WIU,” Stutz said. "We understand (and) share your concerns, but our highest priority is moving WIU into a sustainable future."

Ketra Roselieb, WIU's executive director of financial affairs, led a presentation on the university's historic cash balances and other financials leading to the staff reductions. She said deficit spending in fiscal years 2023 and 2024 pushed WIU's cash balances to "critical levels," forcing the magnitude and urgency of Tuesday's decisions.

Interim provost Mark Mossman said several factors— notably, student credit hour production, faculty capacity and class sizes — will determine staff reduction areas.

While she doesn't defend the "actions or inactions" of any WIU Board, Stutz said trustees have strongly pushed for ways to maximize operational efficiency, including personnel changes, in recent years.

"Our charge is oversight, not management … We have made very concrete suggestions, but we cannot force action," she said. "Currently, (administration) is making the bold, decisive decisions that are necessary to move WIU to a more stable, sustainable financial future."

A plethora of WIU alumni, current and former faculty, students and community members spoke against continued cuts Tuesday.

"By irresponsibly absolving yourselves for what your predecessors did, (WIU administrators and trustees) have condemned yourself to make the same mistake over and over again," said WIU history professor Edward Woell. "You are destroying this university in an ill-conceived gambit to save it."

Eldon Brown, president of the WIU Alumni Council, said "years of optimistic complacency" led to this point.

"You may not have created this problem, but it's yours to solve," he said. "As we reflect on (WIU's 125th anniversary) milestone, we must come together (to) face these hard truths and work collaboratively towards meaningful solutions— shared governance also means shared sacrifice."

He and others urged for unity and collective action moving forward.

"We not only have an opportunity, but an obligation, to rebuild and reimagine what (WIU) can be," Brown said.

Many speakers also called for stability in leadership. Larry Balsamo, a former WIU faculty member of 40 years, suggested to maintain Mindrup and Mossman in their current roles full-time. He also proposed WIU create a committee of faculty, students, community members and alumni to "begin immediately addressing (issues) like student attraction and retention."

Some, including Zanolla, fear continued staff reductions at WIU may drive more students away.

Retired WIU employee Terri Hare was the only public commentator to speak in support of WIU's decision to reduce staff.

"Please exercise good judgment when making these decisions. We need to keep faculty and boost enrollment in our more popular, celebrated programs," she said. "It's difficult to maneuver around human emotion when making tough decisions, but WIU must be run like a business. Let's focus on our strengths."

On Monday, members of the University Professionals of Illinois union held a held a press conference, titled "No Layoffs: Save WIU!," in protest of the ongoing layoffs. Students and supporters gathered at the Chandler Park Gazebo in Macomb to call for a better solution.

Sen. Mike Halpin, D-Rock Island, called the recent WIU staff cuts "very concerning" in a statement Monday. His district includes both campuses.

"These layoffs will hurt the families of the faculty and staff affected; (the) students who depend on them for a high-quality education, the local businesses who (support/provide) services to the university and those employed there, and our economy throughout western Illinois," he said.

Halpin urged WIU to be "as transparent as possible" to those impacted by the layoffs and help with transition planning to "ease the pain for all involved."

Rep. Gregg Johnson, D-East Moline, had similar concerns. In a statement Monday, he called the hardship and uncertainty spurred by WIU layoffs "deeply troubling"— especially with the fall 2024 semester just weeks away.

"These layoffs are not just numbers on a page; they represent real people – our friends, neighbors and community members – who have devoted their lives to educating and supporting our students," he said. "(The) loss of their contributions will be felt deeply across the WIU community in Macomb and Moline."

Halpin said he plans to continue to push for increased funding for WIU and other state colleges.

Johnson said WIU's layoffs reflect a need for proper education funding, calling it the "root cause" of the issue.

"Without it, institutions like WIU will continue to face such dire decisions," Johnson said. “Economic development is crucial, especially at a time when our region is seeing more layoffs. We need to reverse this trend to ensure the stability and growth of our communities."