The elimination of 15 positions–five faculty and 10 staff–was announced this morning. The lay-off involved no teaching faculty with continuing status.
Four of the affected faculty were on one-year contracts, doing work such as filling in for regular professors on sabbatical. All five faculty will remain employed through their current contracts.
Of the staff members, six were released as of Friday, February 6, and will receive full salary and benefits through April 30, the end of the university fiscal year.
The other four will remain in their positions through spring commencement May 9 and will receive salary and benefits through June.
"These painful decisions were made in response to the direction laid out by the board of trustees," said Larry Martens, chairman of the FPU Board.
The board instructed administrators to maintain balanced budgets, carefully prioritize decisions and evaluate programs. "Our responsibility is to ensure that FPU continues to prepare students professionally, ethically and spiritually," Martens said.
FPU is doing all it can to ease the blow to those who have lost jobs. "In addition to generous severance packages, we are also offering employees who are leaving the services of our Career Resources Center in career counseling, updating resumes and building networks to find other positions," Ewert said.
"We are making the same offer to any of our alumni who find themselves unemployed. We care about and do all we can for the people who make up the university family," he added.
Beyond weathering the current storm, FPU is looking at opportunities to build on its strengths to create lasting success.
Campaign success continues Campus leaders are gratified at how the Building on Excellence capital campaign is moving forward. The $36 million effort will result in a Performing Arts Center, building for the School of Education, scholarships, endowments and academic programs.
Donations in 2008 totaled more than $5.6 million, bringing FPU to more than 60 percent of its goal. Even in the last quarter of 2008, when the economic downturn was apparent, the university raised more than $900,000.
Overall financial support also remains strong. In 2008, 40 new families became members of the President's Circle, donors who contribute at least $1,000 annually.
Giving to current operations remains within 92 percent of last year. "We are thankful to all those who continue to support us," Ewert said.
Several new programs have come out of the economic evaluations:
Graduation guarantee One of FPU's strengths is its four-year graduation rate which, at 51 percent, is the highest in the Central Valley.
Beginning in January 2009, the university will take the next step and guarantee graduation within four years to qualified students entering the traditional undergraduate program. Students who fulfill their responsibilities and are not able to graduate in four years will receive the needed courses in the next semester at no cost in tuition or student fees.
The offer is open to new first-time students and covers basic requirements for a single major with no minor. Students must declare a major during their freshman year, meet all advising, registration and financial aid deadlines, complete a required number of classes per year with passing grades and remain in good standing with the university.
"FPU students graduate and begin their careers without delay," Ewert said.
Increased financial aid Nearly all FPU students receive some form of financial aid, without which many could not attend the university. In keeping with the university's commitment to making a high quality education affordable, the amounts of several scholarships have been increased for 2009-2010.
FPU's top freshman academic scholarship, the President's Scholarship, has been raised to $10,000. Other academic scholarships have been raised and range from $5,000-8,000. "We are committed to helping make an FPU education affordable for families," Ewert said.
New regional centers Adult programs--both bachelor's degree-completion and master’s degree--remain vigorous. Two new regional centers will improve outreach to students in surrounding communities. In March the new Bakersfield Center is set to open on Stockdale Highway across from the new Riverwalk, a development on the west side of the city planned for upscale restaurants and shopping.
The 22,000-square-foot structure will have 13 classrooms, a computer lab and a student lounge.
A new Visalia Center is scheduled to open in May, with 35,000 square feet, 22 classrooms and two computer labs. The location at Plaza Drive and 198 allows easy access from adjoining cities like Hanford and Tulare.
These facilities will replace existing centers and augment centers in North Fresno, the College of the Sequoias in Hanford and West Hills College in Lemoore.
RN to BSN, online programs Classes began in February for a program to help registered nurses complete a bachelor of science in nursing with a focus on leadership. The program is aimed at the more than 3,000 RNs that have graduated in the Central Valley in the last five years.
While the RN designation trains nurses for entry-level work, a bachelor's opens the way for advancement in supervision, administration and other areas.
The university is also exploring more online and blended programs, such as those in kinesiology, school library and information technology and curriculum and teaching.
Fresno Pacific University has proven resilient in the past and will do so again. "These are tough times; we understand the pain of those who are leaving us. We also appreciate everyone who keeps us in their thoughts and prayers," Ewert said.