COLLEGE OF SANTA FE CUTS MORE EMPLOYEES.

Byline: JOHN SENA

Layoffs aim to avoid duplication under proposed merger

By John Sena

The New Mexican 

The College of Santa Fe fired nine employees and restructured seven other positions last week in anticipation of a takeover by New Mexico Highlands University, school officials said Thursday.

President Stuart Kirk said the cuts came from the school's development and enrollment offices and were intended to reduce duplication in personnel if the merger occurs.

"It was something that we felt was an appropriate measure," Kirk said Thursday.

Marcia Sullivan, vice president for administration and communication, said the cuts also affected positions that wouldn't be needed in a semester of transition.

Restructuring positions, Sullivan said, meant moving some full-time employees to part-time jobs or moving employees from a cut position into vacant positions in other departments.

Sullivan said school administration has not said these would be the last of the cuts -- more than a dozen positions were eliminated last winter. Instead, she said, officials are considering the transition and what it will mean for the school on a day-to-day basis.

Kirk said few details about the possible merger have been decided, including the cost of tuition, though there seems to be agreement on the future look of the school.

"The discussion we're having right now is that the College of Santa Fe would continue as it is with a strong arts focus, and that other programs would be introduced by Highlands that supplement those offerings," Kirk said.

Kirk acknowledged tuition rates are one detail that will have to be figured out soon, but no decision has been made.

In addition to the yearly operating cost of the college, Highlands would also have to take over roughly $30 million in debt the college owes if the takeover occurs. Any agreement with Highlands will have to be authorized by the Higher Learning Commission and by the Legislature, which will have to approve additional money to pay to operate the college.

Sullivan said Thursday that John Allen, interim vice president for academic affairs, announced his retirement last week. The decision, she said, had nothing to do with the possible takeover or the college's financial situation.

Allen, Sullivan said, had agreed to serve as interim vice president for one year. He's served in the position for a year and a half, Sullivan said, and decided it was time to move on.

Contact John Sena at 986-3079 or [e-mail].