ART DUNNING: Right sizing is tough but necessary

The success of an organization is contingent upon a number of factors. Those factors include an appropriate vision and mission, guiding principles, core values, a strategic plan, a budget that allows for successful implementation of the strategic plan and employees committed to quality customer service. A successful organization is continuously assessing itself to ensure that it has the right people in the right positions to achieve the right outcomes.

During the past three years, we have been doing that at Albany State University and we also have been looking at right sizing the institution, which means we must have the right number of people and resources to meet our goals and priorities. With at least five years of declining enrollment and a loss of millions of dollars in revenue due to that enrollment decline, we have determined that we must make changes, immediately. Since the largest portion of our budget, nearly 90 percent, supports salaries, we must reduce that expense to balance the budget and operate more efficiently.

ASU has experienced a 25 percent decline in enrollment from 2011 to 2015. Darton State College has experienced a 10 percent decline. The enrollment declines at both institutions translate into a Fiscal Year 2017 state funds reduction of $980,202 and $851,962, respectively. The loss of tuition income results in a further $1.5 million reduction at ASU and $2 million reduction at Darton.

Current data show that our university has one of the lowest student to staff ratios in the University System of Georgia at 8 to 1; the second lowest of all USG institutions. The average for peer institutions is approximately 15 to 1. That means that ASU serves our students with almost twice the number of staff members as similar USG institutions. Several problems exist with this model; unnecessary duplication of duties, current and future revenue that cannot support it, it is not a best practice for higher education, it is not sustainable and it is not a model we will take into the new Albany State University.

Yet, I deeply regret that difficult decisions had to be made that resulted in job losses for our employees. The elimination of 80 positions at ASU directly affected 48 people who have been serving our university community. We are grateful for their service, and we will work directly with each of them through this painful process. I also want to recognize that Darton State College had multiple reductions in force in 2015 that eliminated 20 filled positions and has maintained a hiring freeze, filling only the most critical roles since early 2015.

As employment opportunities become available in the future at ASU and Darton, priority consideration will be given to impacted employees who qualify for future open positions.

The tough but necessary actions we are taking now will increase the efficiencies of our operations, while allowing us to continue to deliver high-quality instruction for our students. It is clear that we will be doing more with less, but our employees are committed to the success of this institution now and in the future.

The changes we are making now at ASU, and similar ones being made at Darton, will position the new ASU for the long-term benefit of students, faculty, staff, the community and our region.

Dr. Art Dunning is president of Albany State University.