Citing a budget shortfall, Columbia College is eliminating 122 staff and management positions and will transition 17 of its physical locations nationwide to online operational status.
Columbia College made the announcement in a Wednesday afternoon news release, saying 65 of the 122 positions were held by employees and that 57 were unfilled positions. College spokesman Sam Fleury says 27 of the affected employees worked in Columbia.
Columbia College President Dr. David Russell describes the decisions as very difficult, adding that they were made “after exploring every alternative as we reshape Columbia College.” The release says the college is offering severance packages to affected full-time employees along with career counseling and employment resources.
Dr. Russell says the decisions will ensure a strong future for Columbia College. The school was founded in Columbia in 1851. Columbia College says the changes come in response to a declining pool of high school graduates nationwide and increased competition in the online education space.
