Albany Law School announced on Tuesday that some of their faculty will accept voluntary separation packages. The School offered the buyouts in hopes of balancing faculty student ratios and reduce running costs. The packages began to be offered this winter. The amount of faculty that are taking the buyouts was not disclosed. Certainly there will be educators on both sides of the issue speculating results as faculty leaves the institution with their packages.
Board of Trustees chairman Daniel Nolan, said in a statement, that Albany Law School’s student enrollment has decreased by 200 over the past decade, but it’s faculty size has remained steady. College leaders want to even out the faculty to student ratio to make the school more sustainable. The college is now working with faculty members on a smooth transition and reviewing the financial implications from the buyouts.
Nolan, president and CEO at Hugh Johnson Advisors LLC investments firm in Albany, said in February that the buyouts are a starting point for cost-reductions. “Our intent was to reduce the impact on individuals while continuing our progressive approach to firmly positioning Albany Law School for long-term fiscal health.”
Penelope Andrews, Dean at the school has said that the college may pursue additional sources of revenue, including offering certificate programs to non-lawyers.
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