Saturday, August 16, 2014

Massive (50%-70%?) Faculty Layoffs at Cooley Law School

TaxProf Blog: Massive (50%-70%?) Faculty Layoffs at Cooley Law School:
Western Michigan University Thomas M. Cooley Law School is delivering pink slips to faculty and staff in all of its Michigan campuses.
Sources in Lansing who are being laid off say the cuts are deep, upwards of 50 percent, according to one. 
Another said the impact could be as high as 70 percent. 
A Cooley spokesman disputed the amount, but said he did not have numbers.
“We have non-disparagement and confidentiality clauses upon which our severance packages hinge so I cannot say anything on the record and very little off the record other than to confirm that the cuts to faculty and staff are significant and I am among those in that category,” shared one faculty member, who spoke under condition of anonymity. 
“Plus I am really, really pissed.” 
... Cooley, the country’s largest law school by enrollment, boasted a faculty of 271, full time and part time, according to its website.James Robb, associate dean of external affairs and senior counsel to the school, confirmed the layoffs are underway. 
They are a “painful but necessary” process to help “right-size the organization,” he said. 
... WMU Cooley Law School has seen more than a 40 percent drop in enrollment over the past few years. 
Cooley has raised tuition by 9 percent. 
S&P gave it a negative rating at the end of last year. 
...When asked if the cuts were as deep as 50 percent Robb said, “I think you’re hearing wrong.” ... Robb said he expects the layoff process to be completed by the end of August.

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