Layoffs and program cuts have become a popular strategy to reduce staff size, the most significant expense for many cash-strapped colleges and universities. By sharing courses with other institutions, Adrian has reduced its academic budget by 13% without a layoff, all while launching 38 new academic programs in subjects such as supply chain management to cybersecurity, data analytics and public health. “These are just amazing majors that we can now afford to offer in a small classroom setting, and we can control—if not, reduce—our costs,” Docking says. “It’s a win all the way around. Docking believes cutting expenses will eventually pay dividends for its students. Over the next several years, the college aims to reduce tuition by 20-30%, Docking says.
