The Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges declared a state of financial emergency on Thursday citing cuts in state funding as a major reason. Under state law, the declaration makes it far easier for college presidents to lay off both full time and tenured faculty members. 

The declaration is being met with skepticism.  Washington’s two year colleges were spared the worst of the higher education state cuts this year. Further, faculty salaries constitute an estimated 80 percent of annual costs for the colleges, providing a strong incentive for the Board to declare a financial emergency in order to gain additional flexibility to cut faculty positions.  AFT Washington, the union representing faculty at 22 community and technical colleges in Washington is outraged at the decision. Sandra Schroeder, President of the AFT Washington, claims this act to "unnecessary" and alleges it to be a scapegoat for "bad management decisions."

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