Faculty, Staff Layoffs At College Of New Rochelle

NEW ROCHELLE, NY — The College of New Rochelle, still working to implement a financial restructuring, will eliminate 32 faculty and staff positions. A statement on the college’s website said, “We have taken this painful step only after exhausting all other options. We fully recognize that our faculty and staff are at the heart of our teaching and learning experience.”

The statement went on to say that each position that was cut was “carefully evaluated” to assure “the minimum impact on the overall quality of the student experience.”

Officials said payroll and benefits remain the college’s largest expense, making it the most difficult to reduce because “it involves the lives of individuals who devote their time and energy to our students and campus.”

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The college said it doesn’t anticipate any further layoffs as it moves toward the fall semester.

“Enrollment for the fall remains steady and we are optimistic that thanks to the efforts, sacrifice and understanding of our college community, we can ensure the the college’s 113-year legacy will continue into the future,” the statement said.An attorney for nearly almost 100 faculty members sent a warning letter to the college’s lawyer in March 2017 saying the college hadn’t followed procedures showing a financial necessity to justify layoffs.

The college found itself in a financial crisis in October 2016 and was days away from closing.

President Judith Huntington resigned her post the weekend of Oct. 15, 2016, and “unmet financial obligations” were uncovered and presented to the trustees.

About $20 million in payroll taxes were not paid for eight quarters, beginning in 2014.

Patch file photo.