Robin DeRosaMy guy-- an art prof-- took a buyout from our public university when it looked like the sculpture program would not survive the clench of austerity. Yesterday was his last paycheck. He's 59. He had been a tenured full prof, but retrenchment-- even college closure-- loomed. We're navigating this new era with half the income we expected to have. Still feel so blessed overall, but a decade ago, we wouldn't have imagined this. Tough times, and I know so many in #HigherEd have it much, much tougher.
FYI, as expected, when he took the buyout, he was not replaced. That was effectively the end of the sculpture program, though they still have a couple of courses taught by adjuncts. But the woodshop, the welding studio, the plasma cutter...it's all just unused and sitting there now. It's a small regional university and he was the only one who really knew how to use those shops. What a loss of opportunity and choice for all of the local students who go to our school.
PROF HEPPNER HAS MOVED T@actualham Ouch. That’s rough all around.
@RLHeppner yeah. Hard to complain given what others are facing but still sad to see higher Ed so starved.
Nate Angell@actualham ouch! I hope your family can make something good out of it. Hearts out!
Kate Bowles@actualham So much love to you both, and the larger story of lost knowledge and things unused.
Jen Lou@actualham I’m really sorry to hear that. Will send more via pm.