Early in Spring 2001, in the midst of an economic downturn, employers were sometimes forced into rescinding job offers to graduating college students or delaying their start dates. In light of this trend, the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) Principles for Professional Conduct Committee has issued guidelines for employers on…

Reallocation and reduction strategies being used by four-year colleges and universities were identified by the Project on Reallocation, which contacted 318 four-year institutions. The strengths and weaknesses of the reallocation and reduction strategies were also assessed. Telephone interviews were conducted with the chief academic officer or a…

While tenure has its disadvantages, far more would be lost than gained by reducing or abandoning the tenure system. Strategies are available to both safeguard against tenure abuse and increase institutional flexibility by reducing the proportion of tenured appointments, without endangering the traditional role of the institution. (Author/MSE)

With the prospect of fewer students and diminished tuition receipts, many universities will be unable to honor their contracts with tenured faculty. The author presents an ordered plan for dealing with faculty terminations at a time of "financial exigency." (Editor)

When reducing staff, college administrators should (1) base decisions on the department's role in advancing the institutional mission; (2) provide practical, humane support to those whose posts are eliminated; (3) assure that all staff hear the news quickly and appropriately; and (4) maintain prompt, candid, two-way communication with all…

Because an option for early retirement in Canadian Universities has created a need to know more about the vacancies early retirement creates and the potential to fill these vacancies, a survey of 15 representative universities was conducted. The sample included institutions of faculty numbering less than 100 to institutions of faculty numbering…

Ann McLaughlin, a former secretary of labor, discusses her views on the future of the workplace. She feels that to solve the impending problem of educational deficits among the work force, employers will begin their own educational programs, improving both employee loyalty and work force mobility. Includes predictions for future growth fields.…

A description of reduction in force (RIF) planning as undertaken by Pennsylvania State University is presented. It is suggested that because a university is a system, adjustments to personnel functions must follow systemic rationale to be successful. It is proposed that RIF olanning is a personnel planning process that can be evaluated by using…

A summary is presented of the Project on Reallocation, which investigated faculty staffing and academic program practices at a random sample of 369 four-year colleges and universities, as well as reallocation, reduction, and/or retrenchment patterns. Telephone interviews were conducted with 318 officials (usually the chief academic officer), and…

Voluntary severance plans for college employees offer a possible solution to the problem of limiting labor costs in an inflationary economy, particularly when mandatory retirement is eliminated. The severance package must be carefully budgeted, constructed, and communicated to the employees, and the institution must be disciplined in carrying it…

Maximum flexibility in meeting campus staffing needs is the most successful attribute in reduction in force. A shift in the employment function from recruiting new staff to providing services to dismissed employees is required, with focus on meeting work force needs, enhancing employee morale and institutional image, and gaining campuswide…

A guide to managing employee terminations and resulting changes is presented for administrators. Three reasons for termination that are legitimate, nondiscriminatory, and acceptable in today's marketplace and courts are: cause (serious misconduct, dishonesty, unethical, or dangerous behavior); job elimination (reduction in force, economic…

Considerations that can help colleges and universities develop institutionally specific strategies for planning faculty reductions are addressed. It is suggested that an institution can provide a fair and workable reduction plan if it: thoroughly explores alternatives to faculty layoffs; develops explicit standards and procedures for reduction…

A report of a study of faculty personnel practices, including tenure, in Florida's state universities and community colleges is presented. The objective was to determine the impact of the practices on a college's ability to attract and retain faculty and to respond to changing enrollment patterns. Background information is presented on: tenure…

Experiences with faculty early retirement programs at three public universities are described. The universities range in size from 11,000 to 33,000 full-time equivalent students with 650 to more than 3,000 faculty members. Attention is directed to: goals of each of the institutions in establishing the program, characteristics of individual…