There is nothing strategic or rational about these cuts: This is a short-term, slash-and-burn attempt to “balance the budget” in the college no matter the damage. When confronted by faculty arguing that these cuts would irreparably harm the long-term health of the university, the dean admitted that this was a “roll of the dice.” The rationale is a so-called “budget deficit” of $8.6 million. Pointing to this so-called deficit, management repeatedly argues that the College of Arts and Sciences is “not sustainable,” that its costs are too high, and that cuts are the only solution.
https://vtdigger.org/2021/02/21/helen-scott-the-struggle-for-the-soul-of-the-university-of-vermont/
