Middlebury College Community Protests Budget Cuts
MIDDLEBURY, VT — On May 8, Middlebury College faculty, staff, and students convened outside Old Chapel for a schoolwide walkout and teach-in, protesting the college’s proposed budget cuts aimed at addressing a projected $14.1 million deficit for the fiscal year. The demonstration saw approximately 250 participants voicing their concerns against a plan that includes reducing retirement contributions for faculty and staff and maintaining a student body of 2,650—higher than pre-pandemic levels.
David Miranda-Hardy, a faculty member, emphasized the urgency of the protest, underscoring that “working conditions are your learning experience.” The budget cuts, announced earlier in April, proposed a decrease in the retirement match from 15% to 11% and offered early retirement incentives, measures that many faculty view as a breach of trust.
Economics professor Peter Matthews articulated the long-term financial implications of the retirement cut, stating that it could result in a loss of $100,000 to $250,000 by retirement age, disproportionately affecting younger staff awaiting the retirement benefit. Miranda-Hardy and others pointed out that the deficit stems not from instructional costs but from unsuccessful investments, particularly in the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey, which Matthews dubbed an “albatross.”
With rising tuition fees and an increasing endowment, faculty and staff argue they should not bear the brunt of budget cuts. Calls for a more collaborative approach to financial decision-making have gained traction as frustration mounts over unilateral administrative actions.
Miranda-Hardy concluded, “It’s the worst possible time to breach the trust of your employees.” The message from the demonstrators is clear: budget decisions should prioritize transparency and inclusion, especially in this “volatile moment” for higher education.
————————————————————————
Note: The image is for illustrative purposes only and is not the original image associated with the presented article. Due to copyright reasons, we are unable to use the original images. However, you can still enjoy the accurate and up-to-date content and information provided.
————————————————————————
