Augusta State University Faculty, Staff Concerned About Furloughs

Augusta, GA—All faculty and staff at Augusta State University (ASU) will be required to take six furlough days…that’s time off without pay. Plenty of them shared concerns about the cutbacks.

Dr. Bill Reese, ASU Professor: “There have just been fears and concerns about what are the implications. For instance, what impact does this have on my plans to retire next year?“

To help ease those fears,  ASU officials held a forum on Tuesday. Administrators stressed that classes will not be cancelled and instructors will take time off around holidays. Three furlough days must be taken this semester and three next semester.

Dr. Bill Reese: “Taking a day off, and if we are taking a whole day off, that’s one day less service that the students got.”

For the spring semester, the Friday of Masters Week is now an approved day. Many students believe university officials have done the best that they could.

Stephanie Campbell, ASU student: “ASU does a good job of saving money.”

Administrators also say these furlough days will not have any effect on current promotion and tenure processes. Teachers say they hope these furloughs will not have a lasting effect on students.

Dr. Bill Reese: “Basically, what we lost are the times that students could have come to see us, come see us for committee work, things like that.”

University officials say one primary reason for the changes is because the state cut back $3 million that was supposed to be given to the school.