The conclusion of 2024 state legislative sessions brought news of additional measures to limit higher education institutions' ability to offer initiatives focused on creating inclusion and belonging. In addition, and of particular impact on Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education (NASPA) members, several states and institutions that…

The context for child care and early education (CCEE) changed rapidly in March 2020 as the global pandemic caused the closure of child care programs and schools, widespread job loss, and negative impacts on the broader economy and family life. Black and Latino families and families with lower income experienced disproportionately negative effects…

At some level, principals always have been instructional leaders--but never before has their role been more prominent. First, the accountability movement--No Child Left Behind (NCLB) in particular--thrust principals into the spotlight on academic achievement. Then budget cuts peeled away capacity at both the district and school levels, thinning…

What happens when school personnel, or family members of one's students are laid off, are out of work for months, and their unemployment insurance ends? What happens when students complain that they can't find after-school or summer jobs? When these things occur, people worry about what will happen to them and to those they care about. Students…

A study investigated factors that college faculty perceive as barriers to their academic success within their institutions, focusing on those that distinguish between faculty who leave the institution and those who stay. Issues specific to women and to racial and ethnic minorities are considered. (MSE)

Afterschool systems reduce the number of employees, the surviving staff members often experience low morale, distrust, and guilt. Administrators can help the survivors by answering questions about the layoff: whether it was necessary; whether it was conducted fairly; whether those who were laid off were treated humanely; and what is the status of…

New legislation requiring that continuing health insurance benefits be offered to employees and their families generally apply to all health care benefit plans maintained by school districts. The new regulations are explained. (MLF)

Analysis of 174 reported state and federal adjudication decisions from 1950-89 concerning graduate medical students and their training identified 22 percent of cases as involving programmatic issues. Of these, most addressed problems of academic administration, especially resident dismissals. Recently, programs have accommodated judicial scrutiny…

A common administrative assumption is that a part-time college faculty member on a one-term contract has no right to continuing employment. However, recent court decisions indicate that other rights may entitle him to due process. Renewal or dismissal of part-time faculty should not be treated casually. (MSE)

The program of voluntary separation at Smith College (Massachusetts), implemented as an alternative to forced staff layoffs, is described. The plan included generous separation benefits and counseling services. Related issues are discussed, including tax considerations, eligibility, cost estimation, the plan's timeline, information dissemination,…

Two part-time faculty members and two full-time faculty members express their personal and professional concerns and attitudes about the trend toward increased and prolonged use of temporary and part-time faculty employment by institutions. (MSE)

Ten recommendations for development of institutional policy for termination in cases of financial exigency are outlined. Two recommendations are procedural; others pertain to the specific content of the policy, including definition of terms, making distinctions between program redirection and financial exigency, criteria and procedures for…

In the second of a two-part article, the following questions are addressed: How does the unemployment compensation system work? Which employers are affected by laws on unemployment compensation? Which employees fall under federal and state laws? and How much does a covered employer pay in unemployment taxes? Ways to minimize unemployment claims…

This paper reviews legal risks associated with staff layoffs at institutions of higher education and methods for managing those risks and describes planning steps designed to minimize institutional legal exposure. Legal risks include claims of breach of contract, discrimination, tortious conduct, and violation of labor laws, collective bargaining…

The report of an AAUP committee's investigation of the termination of four tenured Temple University faculty members following an administration declaration of retrenchment is presented. (MSE)