As the college navigates a $40 million deficit, Columbia laid off three senior administrators in recent days, the first top-level cuts.

The layoffs included former Interim President Jerry Tarrer, Associate Vice President of Budget, Planning, and Analysis Jeffrey Reuter and Vice President of Strategic Partnerships and Civic Engagement Laurent Pernot.

But dismissing these senior administrators does not equate to financial accountability.

The leadership layoffs were not made public by the college. Most people found out about them through the Chronicle’s reporting. That silence leaves the campus community without the information needed to judge whether these cuts meaningfully address the deficit.

The deficit is substantial. Reducing leadership positions before cutting academic programs signals an effort to prioritize students. As Student Government Association President Jenna Davis told the Chronicle, “I hope this decision was made with student success in mind.”

But intent is not enough.

Students, faculty and staff do not need personnel details. They need numbers: how much money these cuts will save, how those savings compare to the deficit and what comes next if they fall short.

The entire college community has watched enrollment decline over the past few years, and so far only staff and faculty positions and academic programs have been cut. 

Interim provost Suzanne McBride has made clear that additional faculty cuts remain possible if enrollment does not improve.

Everyone at the college, including students, deserve to understand the full picture of the school.

We need to see a reorganization plan, and everyone impacted needs to know who will absorb the responsibilities when positions are eliminated.

The individuals laid off this week gave years of service to the college, and that is worth acknowledging. So is the difficulty of the moment Columbia is currently in. Everyone deserves to have an understanding of how the college will move forward from here.

Copy edited by Katie Peters