At Virginia Commonwealth University, faculty have been told that as many as 17 current employees, nearly one-third of the Department of Focused Inquiry, may be laid off in order to balance the budget. The Department of Focused Inquiry teaches first-year, foundational seminars that build students’ communication skills, cultural and global competency, research skills, collaboration, and critical thinking.
Faculty at VCU reject the suggestion that these layoffs are an acceptable way to respond to ongoing administrative budget mismanagement. Layoffs are bad for students and bad for faculty. As a state public university committed to quality instruction and student success in return for an increasingly expensive tuition, VCU has a responsibility to act for the benefit of students. Sign the petition to support VCU faculty in their demand for no faculty layoffs.