News Summary
UCLA Extension has laid off 23 employees as part of a financial restructuring to deal with anticipated federal budget cuts. Affected teams include enrollment marketing and learning design, raising concerns about the institution’s academic programs and student services. Employees received 60-day notices and will maintain health benefits until mid-August. This restructuring coincides with broader budget cuts across various UCLA departments and has prompted fears regarding the future of retention and support programs for underrepresented students. The impact on graduation rates and community connection is a growing concern for staff and students alike.
Los Angeles – UCLA Extension has implemented significant staff cuts, laying off 23 employees and eliminating various positions as part of a financial restructuring process aimed at coping with anticipated federal budget cuts. The layoffs, primarily affecting the enrollment marketing and learning and design teams, occurred in June, sparking feelings of shock among staff and raising concerns for the future of the institution’s academic and support programs.
Employees affected by the layoffs received a 60-day notice, and all will continue to receive health insurance and benefits until August 18. The cuts have drawn attention to the university’s financial landscape, particularly in light of a recent California state budget agreement that ensures no reductions in UC funding for the upcoming fiscal year.
UCLA Extension is a continuing education institution that offers certificate programs and transferable credit aimed at working adults and college students. In conjunction with the layoffs, the institution has terminated contracts for current academic directors, introducing 11 new full-time portfolio directors as part of its strategic restructuring. These changes come amidst a broader wave of budget cuts affecting multiple UCLA departments, including the Division of Undergraduate Education, which is also experiencing layoffs and program pauses.
A significant part of the enrollment marketing team was impacted by the layoffs, leading to worries about the promotion of academic units and essential student services. The dean of UCLA Extension mentioned that the institution is working through financial challenges to realign itself with institutional priorities and maintain fiscal responsibility.
In a previous instance in 2018, UCLA Extension faced a similar scenario, proposing to reduce its workforce by approximately 25% due to financial pressures at that time. Current employees have raised concerns about the transparency of the layoffs, particularly regarding the true state of the organization’s finances and how these decisions were made.
The staffing changes may also jeopardize the Study Abroad at UCLA Program, which assists international students in earning transferable credits, intensifying concerns expressed by representatives for these students about reduced support as they transition into the university. Many laid-off employees voiced feelings of disconnect from the community they had developed at UCLA Extension, emphasizing the emotional toll that such significant changes can have.
Amid financial adjustments, the elimination of staff from student-initiated retention and access programs has raised alarms about the potential adverse effects on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. The federal directives influencing these budget decisions could hinder marginalized backgrounds’ graduation rates, as these programs play a vital role in supporting underrepresented students. Reports indicate that the university has not provided sufficient evidence to demonstrate that the existing retention programs were failing to comply with DEI regulations.
As multiple departments at UCLA face funding cuts, the concern grows regarding the overall reduction in student support services. The restructuring and layoffs could disrupt efforts that have positively influenced graduation rates for historically underrepresented students, as the institution navigates this challenging economic landscape.
The impact of these layoffs and the broader restructuring efforts at UCLA Extension signal profound changes within the institution that extend beyond individual job losses, affecting students and the support systems designed to promote educational attainments. The layoff situation highlights the ongoing challenges faced by the university and raises critical questions about staffing, support, and program viability for the future.
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- Daily Bruin: UCLA Extension Lays Off Employees
- Google Search: UCLA Extension layoffs
- Daily Bruin: UCLA Extension Lays Off Employees in 2018
- Wikipedia: UCLA Extension
- Poets & Quants: UCLA’s Move for Tech Workers
- Encyclopedia Britannica: UCLA
- Daily Bruin: Employees Leave UCLA Extension
- Google Scholar: UCLA Extension layoffs
