April 20, 2009 issue
Bethel to cut budget by $1 million
By Bethel College staff and MWR staffPage:
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NORTH NEWTON, Kan. — Bethel College will cut five faculty positions and reduce two others to half-time as part of a plan to trim $1 million from its budget.
Like many colleges and universities, Bethel College in North Newton, Kan., faces significant financial difficulties caused by revenue decreases and dramatic drops in the stock market. — Photo by Vada Snider/Bethel College
The board of directors approved a plan to address budget challenges April 2-4, and the college announced the cuts April 8.
The elimination and reduction of faculty positions will take place after the 2009-10 school year.
Also, the college will not fill a number of staff and administrative positions that have come open this year.
Like many colleges and universities, Bethel faces significant financial difficulties caused by revenue decreases and dramatic drops in the stock market.
“We cannot continue to operate with deficit budgets, as we have done for many years,” said President Barry C. Bartel. “We must develop an operating model that is sustainable at current enrollments and then anticipate increased revenue and increased opportunity with growth and higher enrollments.”
Cuts were made “as a move toward efficient programming through reductions where there is limited student demand,” a Bethel press release stated.
The college did not publicly announce which programs and faculty were affected.
“These actions do not diminish the value or importance of those academic areas or the strength of the faculty, but recognize the lack of demand for certain programs nationally and on our campus,” Bartel said.
“We recognize that the programs and the individuals affected by these decisions have committed much to Bethel. As administration and board, our commitment and passion ultimately required us to act in the interest of the institution. We urge others to seek that understanding as well.”
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