Board Makes Cuts at Mineral Area College

Drastic cuts were approved by Mineral Area College (MAC) Board of Trustees last week.  The expected cuts will eliminate both staff positions and programs.  

In a release by MAC on Wednesday evening, Board of Trustees approved a Reduction in Force (RIF) to be effective July 1, 2021. The RIF is planned in order to ensure a balanced budget for the next fiscal year and beyond.

The release states the institution’s financial circumstances caused by downward enrollment trends, reduced state funding, and current economic conditions impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, led to the decision.

“These were difficult decisions to make to ensure fiscal responsibility and sustainability for years to come,” said MAC President Dr. Joe Gilgour. “Though this decision represents a dark time in Mineral Area College history, we will work hard to move forward and continue to serve the residents of this region.”

Nine full-time faculty positions will be reduced, as well as one full-time non-teaching faculty position, and three full-time classified staff positions. Four vacant full-time positions will remain open at this time. In addition to these reductions, the college will employ strategies to cut costs in departmental, operational, and part-time staff budgets.

Programs being eliminated include theatre, music, agriculture, radiologic technology, and modern and foreign languages.