While many of us were doing research, working, studying abroad, or enjoying our free time over the summer, Southwestern University underwent mass layoffs. During the end of June, faculty and staff began receiving emails stating that the university was under “financial pressure”. This financial pressure was a considerable amount of debt, and the course of action taken was layoffs in many different departments. 

The affected departments most notably include; Title IX, the counseling and health center, IT, admissions, financial aid, and facilities management. Whether these are people you have seen often, or people you’ve never heard of, there is a feeling of something missing on campus. For new students, you might not realize these changes, but existing students are left with needing support and being unsure of who to contact. Due to the fact that active cases have been passed off to different faculty and staff, I have spoken to students who were concerned about the status of their Title IX case, as well as students wondering who to get support from now that SU is left without a social worker. This confusion comes from the lack of information that was offered as soon as news hit. However, it is still unclear who to contact for those who were utilizing support from the social worker. While there are still people who fill these roles, many worry about the overwhelming pressure that is put upon existing staff who are now doing the work of a whole department. 

Many students wonder what the “financial pressure” is referring to. In a leaked email from President Trombley to faculty and staff, she mentions the declining enrollment, tuition discounts, and the increased operating costs. Yearly, the university has decreased their operating budget to help with these issues. The president mentions the deficit that the university has functioned under has been an issue since 2009, however, the magnitude of this deficit has increased. This leads to the university being put on a “more sustainable financial path”. This path includes; decreasing departmental budgets, reducing staff, suspending hiring for open positions, pausing compensation increases for the academic year, and leveraging university assets. 

In the email, President Trombley assures that the values of Southwestern will stay the same. The integrity of our liberal arts education remains at the forefront of these decisions and cuts. Not only is the president looking to cut costs, but she is also committed to preserving the university and ensuring it a successful future. The email ends with President Trombley emphasizing that the university has faced many challenges in its time, and there is no doubt that we will come out on the other side of this financial pressure. 

A commonly asked question is “Why can’t the university delay SU 560?” This is because the money going to the expansion is money from donors that is only able to be used for this purpose. To put it simply, delaying SU 560 does not give the university the funds to prevent these layoffs.  

Regardless of the events of the summer, it is clear that both the administration and President Trombley are hopeful that the university will come out of this turmoil stronger than ever. We still plan to #besouthwestern.