Declining Enrollment Leading To Monroe Community College Layoffs

While not specifying a number, layoffs are pending at Monroe Community College. MCC is reducing its teaching facility, citing a decline in enrollment, and says any teachers impacted will get at least one full year’s notice of employment before any changes take effect. The college will also offer career transition support.

MCC’s full statement reads:

Monroe Community College, like many higher education institutions across the country, experienced a decline in enrollment in the decade up to and including the pandemic. Following the pandemic, the College has reached a period of greater stabilization in terms of enrollment. We are currently dedicated to aligning our faculty and staff talent to most effectively support the needs of our student population. MCC also needs to eliminate reliance on the College’s fund balance to meet the needs of annual operations to ensure the fiscal health of the institution and the responsible use of tuition dollars and public support.

A phased approach has been taken to this necessary rightsizing, beginning with a reorganization to combine two divisions in 2022, eliminating administrative positions and enhancing efficiencies. Phase two was a voluntary separation agreement offered to faculty members who qualified for retirement in 2023. We are now in phase three, an involuntary reduction of teaching faculty, which will balance teaching faculty appointment types and adjust to available budget allocations from the county and state. In consultation with our partners in faculty leadership and as outlined by MCC’s collective bargaining agreement, reductions are being discussed that will ensure the continuity of the learning experience of our students and are also in line with our fiscal reality. Impacted faculty will receive notice and at least one full year of employment with MCC before any changes go into effect. The College and its partners will also be ready to offer career transition support to affected faculty.

MCC is not alone this problem has impacted educational institutions across the country.

Source: 13 WHAM-TV