As Word of Layoffs Spreads, Western Illinois Faculty Members Brace for the Worst - Megan Zahneis, Chronicle of Higher Ed

When Western Illinois University announced on Thursday that it would lay off 24 faculty members, including seven with tenure, Kimberly J. Rice was not surprised to find her name on the layoff list. As an assistant professor who is the most junior member of the political-science department, Rice knew her position could be on the chopping block. But what gives pause to Rice and many observers is that the university’s Board of Trustees just awarded her tenure last month. On Thursday the same board voted to lay her off. When asked for comment, a university spokeswoman referred to a news release that announced the layoff plan on Thursday. https://www.chronicle.com/article/As-Word-of-Layoffs-Spreads/243810