The covid19 pandemic
along with changing attitudes has forced many rural public universities to
retrench faculty and staff. As enrollments decrease, institutions of higher
learning must adapt and change to the changing demographics. Retrenchment is
only one alternative to dealing with declining enrollment. Retrenchment needs
to be balanced with long-term strategic considerations. As the retrenchment
process is conducted, there is a need to review several alternative actions and
decisions. Other cost reduction considerations include subsidies to athletics;
repair/replacement; and technological infrastructure. Formal and informal
communications to faculty, staff, students, and community must be maintained
and possibly expanded. Most importantly, the continued education of the
students should be completed in as normal a manner as possible.
