St. Norbert College PC: Fox 11 Online
DE PERE, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — St. Norbert College has balanced its budget for this year, but projects a deficit next year — and will continue its process of laying off faculty members, according to a letter sent to the college community Tuesday.
The Catholic college has faced declined enrollments and has announced several efforts to reduce spending.
The letter from college President Laurie Joyner said the efforts have resulted in budget adjustments of nearly $12 million.
“We balanced the FY24 budget and are projecting a balanced FY25 budget. Still, Business and Finance projects a nearly $7 million budget deficit in FY26. As a result, Dr. Valerie Martin Conley, the College’s Vice President overseeing Academic Affairs, has been collaborating with deans and faculty governance groups to review academic programs and develop recommendations for potential program elimination as well as discuss the criteria to be used in potential faculty termination recommendations. Other areas of the College are also working together to make significant reductions as well,” she wrote.
The college has started the process known as “retrenchment” as a way to reduce the size of the faculty, and that will continue.
Retrenchment “is an essential step to ensure academic excellence and the long-term financial strength of St. Norbert College. This process involves a strategic review of our programs and operations with a focus on preserving our core traditions: Catholic, Norbertine, and liberal arts. We are unwavering in our commitment to our mission which is why every student will still be required to take courses across a broad range of disciplines spanning the humanities, arts, natural sciences, and social sciences,” Joyner wrote.
Faculty members would either get a minimum 10-month notice or equivalent severance.
She also praised faculty “in introducing new, high-demand programs that will be made possible through innovative partnerships. This means that students will have greater access to majors they want while still experiencing the broad liberal arts foundation that is so important to help them discover their passion and discern their purpose.”
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