June 12, 2025
Dear 91ÊÓƵ Community,
It is a difficult day on our campus as we must part ways with some of our colleagues. We are all painfully aware that the University faces a significant structural budget deficit for 2025-26, and we are taking numerous steps to address that shortfall. To learn more about our planning and associated updates, please visit the website and FAQs at Cal State Channel Islands Forward. Though the to the state budget lessens the impact of cuts to CSU’s general fund allocation, a significant deficit remains.
Ultimately, our mandate as guardians of the public trust remains unchanged: we must align our expenses with revenues and workforce with our enrollment. I am grateful to the 16 eligible employees who opted into the Accelerated Retirement Program (ARP) and Early Exit Program (EEP) both for their contributions over the years to the University, and because their decisions helped to lessen the need for layoffs. Unfortunately, a workforce reduction is among the least desirable actions and one we worked to avoid, but it is a necessary reality for our campus.
Earlier today, 13 staff members were informed that they had been identified for layoff, either because their position was eliminated or because they were the least senior employee in their classification that had been identified for layoff. The total number of staff positions reduced through formal layoffs, EEP, and position vacancies is 27.1 Full-Time Equivalent Employees (FTE). When including the 25.75 FTE reduced through vacancies last year, this brings the total number of staff reductions to 52.85 FTE over the last few years. Additionally, four at-will administrator (MPP) positions will be eliminated by the end of July, bringing the total reduction of MPPs to 23 FTE over the last few years.
Driven by our mission to prioritize student success, we did not close any academic programs or eliminate any Tenure-Track Faculty (TTF) positions. Nonetheless, one of the consequences of reduced enrollment is a reduction in the work available for Non-Tenure Track Faculty (NTTF). In developing the Fall 2025 course schedule to align with current enrollment, impacted NTTF have already been notified of decreased workload in the coming year. Through this process, we have reduced our NTTF ranks by 21.49 FTE. When combining the faculty who participated in the ARP, reduction in Weighted Teaching Units (WTU’s), and natural attrition for both tenure track and NTTF, the total reduction for 2025-26 is 44.82 FTE. This is in addition to 40 FTE in NTTF ranks reduced in recent years due to reduced enrollment and consequent loss of available work, as prescribed in the CBA.
It is important to know that position eliminations are not a reflection on the employees or their performance. Though we must part ways professionally, we do so with great respect and appreciation. Departing employees are being supported with severance benefits that have either been negotiated through their union representation or offered by the University directly.
We recognize that changes like this are extremely difficult, and it is hard to lose valued colleagues. Should you need additional support, please utilize the services provided by the Employee Assistance Program. Answers to many of your questions about our budget challenges and more information about these changes can be found in our Cal State Channel Islands Forward FAQs on the 2025-26 budget and workforce reduction.
Though we do not anticipate widespread disruption to the student experience, academic offerings, or operations, we acknowledge some functional reorganization must take place. Guided by a real-time data dashboard of student interest and demand, we have already been working to adapt curriculum, pathways, and scheduling to best serve our students.
This is truly a difficult day on every imaginable level, and one I sought to avoid. However, with these hard decisions made, I have confidence that we are now on a more sustainable path forward. During this transition, I remain committed to sharing the latest information and providing clarity on important decisions that affect our community. Next month we will host a town hall to address your concerns and answer your questions. In the meantime, I thank you for all of the patience, flexibility, understanding, and grace you can offer.
Sincerely,
Richard Yao, Ph.D.
President