Mount announces staff cuts, closes Desmond campus

Posted 6/3/20

Mount Saint Mary College leadership announced Monday that the institution has eliminated 42 staff positions.

The cuts bring the Mount’s workforce to about 500 full- and part-time faculty and …

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Mount announces staff cuts, closes Desmond campus

Posted

Mount Saint Mary College leadership announced Monday that the institution has eliminated 42 staff positions.

The cuts bring the Mount’s workforce to about 500 full- and part-time faculty and staff. There are no plans to eliminate any additional positions in the foreseeable future.

No faculty positions were eliminated, according to Mount Spokesperson Matthew Frey.
The changes were not related to job performance, noted Dr. Jason N. Adsit, president of Mount Saint Mary College.

“These are our coworkers, our friends, and members of our family,” said Dr. Adsit. “Their absence will be felt professionally, personally, and emotionally.”

The reduction in workforce was enacted to help balance the college’s budget in the long-term, building the foundation for continued success in the future. The Mount and its endowment remain financially healthy and the institution is not in danger of closing. However, recent unforeseen events, such as transitioning to online learning in the face of the current COVID-19 pandemic, have accelerated the need for action.

In addition to the personnel changes, the college is implementing operating budget cuts and a hiring freeze for the coming year.

“It is not sustainable for the college to continue to draw from the endowment for operating expenses,” explained Adsit. “Instead, we needed to reduce the draw and create a balanced budget. Today’s personnel action was the largest and most painful step.”

Frey also confirmed that the college has also indefinitely suspended classes at the Desmond Campus for Adult Enrichment in Balmville, a program that has served thousands over the years with educational programs and day trips.

The college does not have plans to eliminate existing academic programs and will continue to focus on growing its offerings to students.

“Our guiding principle throughout this process has been to ensure that we can continue to deliver the excellent Mount education that the college has provided to generations of students,” said Adsit. “We are steadfast in our commitment to see the college flourish and educate future generations of students, preparing them for rewarding lives of service, leadership, and success.”

The Mount currently serves more than 2,200 students with more than 70 academic programs.