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Wednesday, May 22, 2019

After buyouts and enrollment increase, Linfield says no layoffs



In 5/20 online and 5/21/2019 print edition McMinnville N-R

Linfield College officials said Monday that no layoffs are planned this spring.

“There will still be some restructuring,” a college spokesman said. “But this is positive.”

At least 28 employees have accepted voluntary separation agreements offered by the college in an effort to reduce costs. Some professors in the language, art, communications and music departments are among those who are leaving.

Thanks to a college-wide recruiting effort, Linfield is expecting more freshmen and transfers this fall.

However, the school still needs to work on its budget problems, President Miles Davis said May 9 at a town hall meeting for members of the McMinnville and Portland campuses. Budget problems have been growing as enrollment declined by almost 25% over the past five years.

The massive marketing and recruiting effort has led to 420 freshman committing to enroll this fall.

About 170 students, 40% of the incoming class, are the first generation in their families to attend college, according to Gerardo Ochoa, assistant dean for diversity and community partnerships.