Thirty-nine Nicholls faculty and staff were let go, resigned or retired last semester, and only 22 were hired in their place. “We did not let anyone go this year that hadn’t been given a year’s notice,” Larry Howell, associate provost, said. “The rest left on their own accord, either by retirement or resignation.”
Programs that were cut, such as computer science, cardio-pulmonary care and criminal justice, play a major role in the reduction in faculty. Fletcher picked up some of these majors, as well as developmental classes, and they have hired many of the professors that Nicholls has let go.
In addition, some professors in removed programs have moved to other departments.
Retirees made up a large number of those who left.
“We hit one of those times when there were several people that had the chance to retire-and were ready to retire-all at the same time,” Michele Theriot, associate professor of English, said.
Theriot said she could remember something similar happening not long after she began teaching at Nicholls.
“A lot of professors had all been hired around the same time, and they were all going out at the same time,” Theriot said. “That was maybe 10 years ago. Maybe in another 10 or 15 it will happen again.”
The Languages and Literature department lost nine faculty members in total-more than any other department-and hired six, leading to a lot of changes in the department.
“We lost some good people,” Theriot said, “but I think we still have a lot of good things going.”
The reduction in staff has led to many gaps. However, this is not unusual, Howell said.
“We always, every year, have vacant positions that go unfilled,” Howell said. “In fact, the budget accounts for positions being empty.”
Howell went on to say that as a result, students might find that their classes are larger than usual to make up for the difference.
Theriot also voiced concern over the larger class sizes. “It’s not fun to walk into a freshman English class to see 35 people,” Theriot said. “It’s almost an unwieldy number for a composition class.”
Despite the worry that the loss of staff can cause, some find it important to stay optimistic. Daniel Ruiz, speech and theater instructor was hired over the summer. He said that he was enthusiastic about starting his new job here.
“When you’re coming in new, you can’t be worried,” Ruiz said, “because then you can’t do your job right.”
Ruiz said that constantly having new ideas kept him motivated and optimistic about his job here. “In this job environment, it’s important not just to come in and do your job, but to find a way to make yourself indispensible.”
Howell is also optimistic about the changes made to the staff. “As long as we try to do what’s best for the overall future of Nicholls, then I think we’ll be ok.
