Back to the Future?
August 3, 2017
In 1994, Julie Karns began working in the administration of Rider University, which was in negotiations with the AAUP.
Below are a few documents from that time period.
As you will see, the claims being made then by newly hired CFO Karns are all too similar to what is being claimed now in 2017. In 1994, Karns claimed the institution was facing "difficult financial challenges" that all reserves would be depleted within two years and the AAUP was wrong about the financial state of the University. The AAUP responded, "the institution is not in financial crisis nor even close... at the same time the AAUP noted several trends that gave us concern."
The difference between the administration and the AAUP's positions back then boiled down to the administration relying on their own future budget projections while the AAUP relied on the actual audited statements. The AAUP further noted inconsistencies in the administration's positions. Does all this sound depressingly familiar? Who was right? Well, Rider did not close the doors or run out of reserves in 1996. Or since.
This was twenty-two years ago. Today, we are having the same conversation. Currently, the AAUP recognizes trends of concern and has offered the administration several proposals to address those concerns. But they continue to claim their budget projections of the future are fact. They continue to claim that we will shortly run through all reserves and that if we do not accept draconian cuts in compensation and increases in workload Rider will go out of business.
It just seems like more of the same.
August 3, 2017
In 1994, Julie Karns began working in the administration of Rider University, which was in negotiations with the AAUP.
Below are a few documents from that time period.
As you will see, the claims being made then by newly hired CFO Karns are all too similar to what is being claimed now in 2017. In 1994, Karns claimed the institution was facing "difficult financial challenges" that all reserves would be depleted within two years and the AAUP was wrong about the financial state of the University. The AAUP responded, "the institution is not in financial crisis nor even close... at the same time the AAUP noted several trends that gave us concern."
The difference between the administration and the AAUP's positions back then boiled down to the administration relying on their own future budget projections while the AAUP relied on the actual audited statements. The AAUP further noted inconsistencies in the administration's positions. Does all this sound depressingly familiar? Who was right? Well, Rider did not close the doors or run out of reserves in 1996. Or since.
This was twenty-two years ago. Today, we are having the same conversation. Currently, the AAUP recognizes trends of concern and has offered the administration several proposals to address those concerns. But they continue to claim their budget projections of the future are fact. They continue to claim that we will shortly run through all reserves and that if we do not accept draconian cuts in compensation and increases in workload Rider will go out of business.
It just seems like more of the same.
Memo from Julie Karns on Rider's Financial Situation
December 19, 1994
December 19, 1994
AAUP Responds to Karn's Memo: Part 1
from AAUP Newsletter, January 17, 1994
from AAUP Newsletter, January 17, 1994
AAUP Responds to Karn's Memo: Part 2
from Memo to Faculty, February 2, 1994
from Memo to Faculty, February 2, 1994