Board Approves Reduction in Force at Brookdale

LINCROFT, NJ (November 13, 2014) – The Brookdale Community College Board of Trustees voted on November 13 to authorize a reduction in force at the college beginning in July 2015.

The authorization allows college officials to present a proposed reorganization of Brookdale’s operational structure, which will include new staffing levels and redesigned models for academic and administrative offices.

Throughout November, the college community will have the opportunity to provide input on the proposal. A finalized plan is expected to be presented to the board of trustees in December.

Brookdale currently has 646 regular employees. As it stands, the proposed reorganization plan recommends a net reduction of 51 positions. A total of 210 positions will be eliminated, 33 of which are currently vacant. A total of 126 new positions will be added. Where possible, these positions will be filled by internal candidates.

The proposed reorganization is the result of nearly two years of self-assessment and college-wide discussions involving faculty, administrators and staff. A total of 111 college departments were evaluated on a wide range of factors, including their centrality to Brookdale’s mission, demand and relative cost.

New, more complimentary organizational models have been proposed in an effort to consolidate staff and align resources in the areas where they will most benefit students.

Other proposed changes include a new “one-stop” center for student support services, an “innovations center” to encourage implementation of new technologies in the classroom, required technology training for every Brookdale employee and improvements to Brookdale’s Freehold campus.

The reorganization will also help address an operating budget deficit that required the use of reserve funding over the last three years. College officials intend to present an operating budget for the next fiscal year that does not rely on reserves.

College operating revenues have declined by nearly $14.7 million dollars since fiscal year 2011, including a $5.7 million dollar decline in tuition. Over the same timeframe, county and state funding to Brookdale has decreased by $9.4 million and $393,000, respectively.

Brookdale’s enrollment for fall 2014 is 14,144, down from 14,360 in fall 2013 and 15,783 in fall 2010.

Since 2011, Brookdale has eliminated or deferred more than 50 full-time positions, reduced or frozen all operating budgets, delayed capital expenditures and enacted a hiring freeze for all non-critical positions. These and other cost-saving measures led to a $2.4 million reduction in operating expenses this year.

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