LAY DOWNS, NOT LAYOFFS

FACTS ABOUT THE LAYOFFS

1.) THE LAYOFF DECISIONS WERE MADE IN CLOSED MEETINGS BETWEEN THE TOP THREE ADMINISTRATORS, WITHOUT DUE INPUT FROM FACULTY SENATE, UNION, OR HEADS OF AFFECTED DEPARTMENTS.

2.) THESE LAYOFFS CONSTITUTE A SERIOUS INJUSTICE. MOST OF THE LAID OFF PROFESSORS HAVE FILED FORMAL GRIEVEANCES ASSERTING THAT SFAI FAILED TO FOLLOW LEGALLY BINDING PROCEEDURES OF THEIR CONTRACT, VIOLATED RIGHTS OF ACADEMIC FREEDOM, AND DISCRIMINATED ON THE BASIS OF AGE, DISABILITY, MEDICAL CONDITION, GENDER, OR UNION ACTIVITY.

3.) LAWSUITS BY INDIVIDUALS AND THE UNION ARE LIKELY AND WILL COST THE SCHOOL (STUDENTS) MORE MONEY THAN IS SAVED FROM ANY AMOUNT OF LAYOFFS.

4.) DESPITE THREE FORMAL STATEMENTS FROM STUDENTS, THE ADMINISTRATION REFUSES TO BELIEVE THAT THESE CUTS REPRESENT A SERIOUS NEGATIVE IMPACT ON OUR ACADEMIC EXPERIENCE AND REPRESENT A GROSS DISTORTION OF THE SFAI CURRICULUM.

5.) THESE LAYOFFS ARE NOT ECONOMICALLY MOTIVATED, AS THE ADMINISTRATION HAS REFUSED TO RESCIND THE NOTICES, EVEN AFTER UNION NEGOTIATIONS AGREED TO GIVE THEM ALL THE MONEY THEY’VE DEMANDED AND SFAI IS FACING A $800,000 TO $1MIL. BUDGET SURPLUS BY JULY, ’09; BEFORE ANY SAVINGS FROM THE LAYOFFS TAKE EFFECT.

6.) THE LEGITIMACY OF THE DECLARATION OF FINANCIAL EXIGENCY IS QUESTIONABLE, AT BEST BECAUSE a.) IT WAS MADE BY AN EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES, NOT THE ENTIRE BOARD, AS CLAIMED IN THE ORIGINAL LAYOFF NOTICE.

b.) SFAI’S BUDGETS, AS OF THE END OF NOVEMBER WERE QUOTE, “...RUNNING WELL AGAINST BUDGET. MOST DEPARTMENTS ARE UNDER BUDGET.” –ESPI SANJANA, CFO/COO

AS DEEPLY INVESTED STUDENTS AND ARTISTS, WE LOVE SFAI AND PROTEST OUT OF OUR LOVE FOR THIS INCREDIBLE COMMUNITY!!