Recently, historically Black Xavier University of Louisiana laid off 46 full-time staff members due to recent financial challenges, according to a report from WDSU.
The New Orleans-based HBCU cites an internal “restructuring” as the reason for the recent reduction in staff. Employees from several departments were affected, including the campus ministry, the office of social justice, the mass communication department, and the athletics and recreation department.
“As with many universities, Xavier is navigating the significant challenges in the changing higher education landscape,” reads a statement from Xavier administrators. “In an effort to ensure the institution’s long-term financial health, continued support of student success, and ongoing commitment to our mission, the university has made the difficult but necessary decision to adjust staffing levels.”
The administration added that “these actions, while difficult, follow a careful review of our operations to ensure that every resource strengthens our capacity to continue serving students and community. Those affected by this restructuring have contributed greatly to the life of the university, and we are committed to assisting them through this transition with compassion, respect, and available support resources.”
I’m not surprised. What has to happen is that XULA needs to IMMEDIATELY decrease their exorbitant tuition of $52K and $67K total for room and board. If XULA is going to make personnel cuts or have staff salary decrease they need to start with the upper echelon administrators IMMEDIATELY. Let’s be honest for a moment, the education students receive at XULA is definitely not worth no DAMN $52K. For those who dissent, I challenge you to ask any current XULA student.
While I agree that every institution that faces financial strain should start from the top down and pare expenses accordingly, it doesn’t make sense to cut tuition costs. That’s loss of revenue. Further, how do you make valuation of an education? Asking the current student is not the whole answer. You have to look at what are the recent graduates accomplishing.