2008 Woodie Awards
Faculty slow to speak about possible layoffs
Andeidre Macklongs
Issue date: 2/15/08 Section: News
Faculty and staff members could be in jeopardy of losing their jobs because of the burden that a decreased budget would place on the University's finances.
"We have to cut 30 positions," University President James H. Ammons said in a student forum held Feb. 1. "All 30 of these positions are occupied, so we're talking about layoffs."
Although the budget cuts announced in January could be a burden, FAMU would have to lay off 30 faculty and staff members in order to reach a budget target that had been set for the University.
"Budget cuts are budget cuts," said Jermaine Robertson, Ph.D., a professor in the College of Arts and Sciences.
Robertson is a 9-month contracted employee, and like all faculty and staff members, he is facing the possibility of having to search for new employment this summer.
"I am upset, but I understand that the state of Florida is in a serious financial bind," Robertson said.
FAMU is possibly facing another $4 million dollar budget cut.
"The cuts are not unique to FAMU, but they are state cuts," Robertson said. "It's unfortunate that education is the first thing to get cut. Education should be prioritized."
At the Feb. 1 student forum, Ammons said Florida is in a financial crisis, forcing FAMU, along with other Florida universities, to pay one percent per quarter to the state.
Although there is another possible budget cut on the horizon, FAMU officials clarified that no layoffs have been set in stone.
"As of this moment none of the faculty members has been laid off," said FAMU Spokeswoman Sharon Saunders. "We won't make any decisions until after the legislative session is over."
Saunders said the session would not end until May 2.
This gap in time should allow faculty and staff members to at least finish the spring 2008 semester. But according to Ammons, second round cuts might begin as early as March.
Many faculty and staff were reluctant to speak on record about the possibility of layoffs.
"We have to cut 30 positions," University President James H. Ammons said in a student forum held Feb. 1. "All 30 of these positions are occupied, so we're talking about layoffs."
Although the budget cuts announced in January could be a burden, FAMU would have to lay off 30 faculty and staff members in order to reach a budget target that had been set for the University.
"Budget cuts are budget cuts," said Jermaine Robertson, Ph.D., a professor in the College of Arts and Sciences.
Robertson is a 9-month contracted employee, and like all faculty and staff members, he is facing the possibility of having to search for new employment this summer.
"I am upset, but I understand that the state of Florida is in a serious financial bind," Robertson said.
FAMU is possibly facing another $4 million dollar budget cut.
"The cuts are not unique to FAMU, but they are state cuts," Robertson said. "It's unfortunate that education is the first thing to get cut. Education should be prioritized."
At the Feb. 1 student forum, Ammons said Florida is in a financial crisis, forcing FAMU, along with other Florida universities, to pay one percent per quarter to the state.
Although there is another possible budget cut on the horizon, FAMU officials clarified that no layoffs have been set in stone.
"As of this moment none of the faculty members has been laid off," said FAMU Spokeswoman Sharon Saunders. "We won't make any decisions until after the legislative session is over."
Saunders said the session would not end until May 2.
This gap in time should allow faculty and staff members to at least finish the spring 2008 semester. But according to Ammons, second round cuts might begin as early as March.
Many faculty and staff were reluctant to speak on record about the possibility of layoffs.
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