Introduction to Columbia College Chicago’s Budget Cuts

Columbia College Chicago has laid off 20 full-time faculty members as part of planned cuts to academic programs, the downtown art school announced this week.

Background of the Budget Deficit

The layoffs are the latest in a series of cuts the school has made to programming and staffing in an attempt to plug the $38 million budget deficit. Seventy staffers were laid off in May 2024. In September, the school cut 18 “underperforming” majors.

Affected Faculty Members

The 20 faculty members, 18 of which are tenured, were a part of the schools of Audio and Music; Business and Entrepreneurship; Communication and Culture; Design; and Visual Arts.

Changes in Academic Programs

School officials said many of the layoffs focused on staff that provided general education. The college will soon require students to make more classes within their majors or minors, the school said.

Support for Affected Faculty

Tenured faculty members leaving Columbia will receive a year of pay and benefits while teaching-track faculty were offered six months of pay and benefits, school officials said.

New Leadership and Challenges

In March, Shantay N. Bolton took over as president of the art-focused school. Bolton will replace Kwang-Wu Kim, who resigned last year following declining enrollment and a six-week strike. The school has seen enrollment drop from more than 11,000 in 2010 to less than 7,000 in 2022.

Conclusion

The layoffs at Columbia College Chicago are a significant step in the school’s efforts to address its budget deficit. While the decision to cut faculty positions is never easy, the school is working to ensure that affected faculty members are supported during this transition. The changes to academic programs and staffing are intended to help the school move forward in a sustainable way, despite the challenges posed by declining enrollment.

FAQs

• Q: How many faculty members were laid off by Columbia College Chicago?
  • A: 20 full-time faculty members were laid off.
• Q: What is the reason behind the layoffs?
  • A: The layoffs are part of the school’s efforts to address a $38 million budget deficit.
• Q: Which schools within the college were affected by the layoffs?
  • A: The schools of Audio and Music; Business and Entrepreneurship; Communication and Culture; Design; and Visual Arts were affected.
• Q: What support will tenured and teaching-track faculty members receive?
  • A: Tenured faculty members will receive a year of pay and benefits, while teaching-track faculty will receive six months of pay and benefits.
• Q: What changes can students expect in academic programs?
  • A: Students will be required to take more classes within their majors or minors as the college reduces its general education offerings.