Facing a budget reduction of $5 million, Miami University recently eliminated 33 positions. Most employees were notified between Sept. 28 and Sept. 30. Their dismissal will take effect 60 days from the time of notification, except for unclassified staff who have worked for the university for at least five years. They will have five months. The editorial board of The Miami Student believes the university's actions to be both necessary and appropriate.
The university is handling an all-around bad situation as well as it can. Given the state of the economy, layoffs are a necessary evil in many businesses and the university is no exception. In addition, the university had its hands tied, trying to maintain educational quality and minimize the impact of cuts. In the long run, we do not want to see academics suffer or departments reduced to nothing or just cut altogether. Nor do we want to see tuition rise excessively. The university has already announced future increases in tuition to help with the financial crisis ("Tuition raise can support MU's education quality," Sept. 24). We don't want such hikes to get out of control, so something somewhere else had to give. Cuts must be made. This board feels the university has targeted areas that will minimize the impact of the cuts on students and the university itself.
Furthermore, the university had no legal obligation to give employees with a longer history of service more time before dismissing them. By giving them three more months, the university is reciprocating the loyalty it has been shown. It is an effort of good faith that demonstrates the university values such service. So the university is conducting layoffs in the best way possible.
No one likes layoffs, and this board expresses its concern for the welfare of those individuals who have been let go. University employees who are laid off, though, have more support than employees of other companies in the same circumstance. These employees should make use of the aid the university offers through career services as much as possible. The university should remember the contribution these employees have made and must continue to support those it has let go in as many ways as possible.
