Layoffs in IELP Proceed

After an exhausting year of retrenchment proceedings as outlined in Article 22 of the contract, administration decided to proceed with layoffs in the Intensive English Language Program (IELP). Nine NTTF were ultimately laid off. The faculty members were given two scenarios: immediate layoff or to remain at 0.5 FTE for Fall 2021, with a full layoff going into effect in December 2021. We are extremely disappointed that this is the final outcome, especially after the time and energy that was put into developing other options. PSU-AAUP and IELP Faculty worked tirelessly over the course of the year to use every tool available to try to mitigate layoffs. We are heartbroken and deflated that the administration decided to leave nine faculty members, who had dedicated their careers to PSU for over a decade, without a job, just as we are coming out of the pandemic. PSU-AAUP was able to secure some continued important benefits for the impacted faculty through negotiations but was ultimately unsuccessful in avoiding layoffs altogether.