Some colleges and universities are facing challenging financial situations as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic or other issues. In some cases, particularly those in which ongoing financial problems have threatened institutions’ survival, the challenges are extraordinary. But too often administrations invoke broader fiscal collapse as a justification for implementing, without meaningful faculty participation in the decision-making process, a variety of measures that undermine the mission of the institution and threaten the working conditions of faculty, academic professionals, graduate employees, and other campus staff. Such measures may include hiring and salary freezes, furloughs, salary cuts, layoffs, nonrenewals, reduction and elimination of academic programs and colleges, revision of curricula, changes in academic policy, elimination of tenure, substantial changes in workload, and more.
To assist members of the academy in addressing the challenges faced in times of financial stress, we offer the following often-asked questions with accompanying answers. In order to help our chapters, our members, and the profession as a whole to navigate this crisis, we will continue to update the information on this page. Have a question that's not answered here? Let us know what it is.
Note: The information on this website is intended as general guidance on matters of interest and does not constitute legal advice. While every attempt has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information provided, laws and factual circumstances may differ significantly depending on locality and other factors. If you have legal questions you should consult with an attorney in your area knowledgeable about these issues. Additionally, to ensure compliance with Treasury Department regulations, we advise you that, unless otherwise expressly indicated, any federal tax advice contained in these materials was not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used, for the purpose of (i) avoiding tax-related penalties under the Internal Revenue Code or applicable state or local tax law provisions or (ii) promoting, marketing or recommending to another party any tax-related matters addressed herein.