Central State University to Lay Off at Least 16 Faculty Amid Financial Woes, State Law Compliance
Central State University in Wilberforce, Ohio, announced plans to eliminate at least 16 faculty positions by the end of the academic year, primarily in humanities departments. The cuts stem from compliance with the Advance Ohio Higher Education Act, which mandates state universities to drop programs averaging fewer than five graduates annually over three years, alongside a $26 million tuition backlog.
Financial Pressures Mount
The university’s board of trustees approved the retrenchment plan earlier this month, with layoff notices sent to 14 faculty on Feb. 17 and two more the following day. Affected professors will retain pay and benefits through August. CSU has faced fiscal watch status since 2024, compounded by unpaid water bills sparking annexation talks with Xenia.
Prior reductions included 33 staff and seven faculty last year, amid a projected $5 million shortfall for fiscal 2026 without intervention. President Morakinyo A.O. Kuti described the moves as an “academic realignment” to match faculty with high-enrollment programs, noting 52 faculty in low-enrollment areas versus 31 in sustainable ones.
Faculty Union Raises Concerns
The Central State chapter of the American Association of University Professors disputes the cuts’ necessity, arguing they overlook 23 faculty losses since 2023-2024 via retirements and departures, offset by lower-paid hires. Union President Genevieve Ritchie-Ewing warned of increased burdens on remaining faculty at the small HBCU, now totaling about 109 members.
Programs targeted include math, education, and water resource management, with fewer than 15 graduates over three years. Faculty had begun consolidating low-enrollment offerings last year before abrupt changes.
Broader Context and Support
The Advance Ohio Higher Education Act, tied to Senate Bill 1, affects all public Ohio universities but hits CSU harder due to delayed program reviews. Recent positives include a United Negro College Fund partnership yielding over $400,000 in student aid for 2025-2026.
Kuti emphasized resilience, stating the university prioritizes “long-term sustainability and student success.” Critics like Ritchie-Ewing highlight the human toll in “sober times.”