After a year of buyouts, layoffs and retirements, the college paused on Thursday, May 29, to honor departing full-time faculty, whose numbers have declined as the college struggles with its financial deficit.
About 50 people attended the gathering at 1104 S. Wabash Ave., which was hosted by the Faculty Senate’s executive committee in partnership with Suzanne McBride, dean of faculty affairs. It was the first time in recent memory that faculty recalled ever having a formal gathering for those who were leaving the college.
It was long overdue, Andrew Causey, a professor who taught anthropology at the college, said at the gathering.
“This was one of the faults, I think, of various administrations, is to not recognize the excellence of the faculty at large and how much we bring not just to our students, but to the community,” Causey said.
The event honored faculty who retired, voluntarily left or were laid off.
Last summer, 11 people took voluntary buyouts, and earlier this year 23 full-time faculty were told that they would be laid off at the end of the spring semester, as the Chronicle previously reported. Other faculty members retired, though McBride could not provide a number.
“We will be there to honor their service to the college regardless of their reasons for separation,” outgoing Faculty Senate President Rojhat Avsar, an associate professor in the School of Communication and Culture, told the Chronicle before the event.
He said he hopes that this will become a tradition moving forward.
Each of the 14 departing faculty members in attendance was honored at the front of the room with the highlights of their contributions to Columbia. They also were given a small individual gift and were given the opportunity to speak.
“Columbia is a part of my identity and being,” said Ivan Brunetti, an associate professor who taught illustration.
Brunetti was at Columbia for 26 years and said he is grateful for the time he has spent here with both fellow faculty members and students.
Ava Chatterjee, an associate professor, had taught education at the college since 1992.
She was one of 29 faculty members who earned the distinguished emeritus status during commencement this year. This designation is awarded to retired or retiring faculty to recognize their distinguished service to the school and students.
However, several faculty who were laid off also were bestowed the title, including Jeff Spitz, an associate professor in the School of Film and Television, as the Chronicle previously reported.
“One of the things I always say about Columbia is that it allowed me to dream, and that is something that I hope is always going to be part of the fabric of this institution,” Chatterjee said.
In January, the college laid off 23 full-time faculty members across multiple schools amidst restructuring to address a $17 million deficit, which has increased in spite of the cost-cutting measures, according to sources with knowledge of the college’s financial situation. A month later, Senior Vice President and Provost Marcella David told the Faculty Senate that more layoffs could be expected.
The college announced the day after commencement that David would no longer be provost and would leave the college in June.
The faculty who lost their jobs represented about 10% of Columbia’s 233 faculty as of last fall.
Both David and outgoing Interim President and CEO Jerry Tarrer did not attend the farewell party.
Incoming CEO and President Shantay Bolton, who attended the Manifest Arts Festival and the commencement ceremonies a few weeks ago, starts July 1. She also was not present.
McBride said the college is indebted to every departing faculty member.
“I’m just humbled by the impact they had on each and every one of us, and that will stay with us because they’re part of our community whether they’re here physically or not,” she said.
McBride said that “this is what we need to do,” and hopes to continue the tradition of hosting an annual farewell party for those faculty members who leave the school.
Copy edited by Manuel Nocera
