ALLENTOWN, Pa. — Staff at Lehigh Carbon Community College have received furlough notices attributing cuts to uncertainty in state and federal funding.
In an email sent by Executive Director of Human Resources Donna Williams to at least 10 people Thursday, officials at the college were told that “uncertainty of how or when state and/or federal funding sources for your position will be allocated, approved and distributed."
In response, "the college must make critical decisions to prepare and respond,” the email says.
“Please know that these grant financial decisions were not easily made, knowing the repercussions they have upon you personally and upon the vital services you have provided the College, students and community."LCCC Executive Director of Human Resources Donna Williams in an email
Following a confirmation of the recipient’s last day of employment, the email reads, “The college is reviewing state and federal legislation weekly for all grant funding sources.
"You will be contacted when we receive confirmation on the stability of funding sources for your positon [sic].”
After a request to contact another official at the school to review benefits, the email states that the recipient could be eligible for unemployment benefits and provides a link to a page for frequently asked questions about unemployment.
“Please know that these grant financial decisions were not easily made, knowing the repercussions they have upon you personally and upon the vital services you have provided the College, students and community,” the email concludes.
The recipient asked not to be identified for this report.
Previous threats of layoffs
LehighValleyNews.com has reached out to LCCC for comment. An official from the school said they would respond to the matter by Monday, May 5.
According to a source at the college, the affected parties and their supervisors were informed of the decision at the same time.
That individual said they knew the furlough would impact individuals funded by Perkins (Career and Technical Education) and Title III.
Impacted departments include the Career Center, Educational Support Services, the KEYS program, the SHINE program, Success Coaches, and more.
At least 10 individuals, possibly more, likely to be laid off.
The source who shared the email with LehighValleyNews.com said “Multiple departments will be left severely understaffed if not completely unstaffed.”
The source went on to state that previously, when there was potential for a government shutdown that would cause funding issues, LCCC had notified staff ahead of time that they would have to be “temporarily laid off” without pay.
According to the individual, such a notification was sent to staff just prior to spring break, though no further information was provided, questions remained unanswered and there was no follow-up.
Colleges and universities across the country — including private and Ivy League institutions — have been struggled to navigate cost cutting measures in the wake of the Trump administration “using the funding spigot to seek compliance with his agenda, cutting off money to schools,” according to a recent PBS News Hour article.
