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.