The COVID-19 pandemic has put a financial strain on the University of Arizona and Northern Arizona University, forcing them to furlough or let go of hundreds of employees. Those that remain are struggling as well, according to the Arizona Faculties Council, which is made up of representatives from University Senate leadership.
The council's representative Jessica Summers told the Arizona Board of Regents during its Friday meeting that employees are struggling to pay their bills due to pay cuts. As a result, some are applying to jobs at other public universities, private institutions or in the private sector.
“While President Robbins has assured UA employees that the furlough will end early because of better than estimated net tuition revenue, it is already too late for faculty who may have better offers elsewhere," said Summers, who is also an UA associate professor.
The Arizona Board of Regents is asking the state for $35 million to restore funds that were cut in its skinny budget. It’s also submitted a state budget request of $160 million for next year. Summers urged the board to also seek short-term mitigation strategies, such as lines of credit and debt financing, to pay for operational expenses during COVID-related budget shortfalls.
Faculty have also been hurt by staff reductions. At NAU, faculty members have taken on additional courses and students after the university chose not to renew contracts for at least 114 instructors, Summers said.
“With the extra teaching duties imposed on NAU faculty, many have been forced to choose students over research agendas," she said.
In some cases it’ll take years to recover research work that was lost, suspended or canceled due to COVID, Summers said. The delays may be hitting female scholars harder as journals are reporting significantly fewer submissions from women compared to pre-COVID numbers.
