CHICAGO — Columbia College Chicago has announced the layoff of 20 full-time faculty members, including 18 tenured professors, in its latest effort to reduce a $38 million budget deficit.
The downtown art and media college confirmed Tuesday that the layoffs are part of a broader plan that includes reducing academic offerings and reorganizing general education requirements. The cuts span departments such as Audio and Music, Business and Entrepreneurship, Communication and Culture, Design, and Visual Arts.
Longtime Faculty Among Those Let Go
Most of those laid off were veteran educators, many of them tenured. In a statement, college officials said the changes were necessary due to a structural overhaul of how students fulfill academic requirements. Going forward, students will be expected to complete more courses within their major or minor fields, reducing the need for general education faculty.
Faculty affected by the layoffs will receive compensation packages:
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Tenured professors will get one year of salary and benefits.
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Teaching-track faculty were offered six months of pay and benefits.
Declining Enrollment Behind Financial Struggles
Columbia has been in financial triage mode for over a year. In May 2024, the school cut 70 staff positions, and in September, it eliminated 18 underperforming academic majors. The ongoing decline in enrollment has worsened the college’s revenue shortfall: from over 11,000 students in 2010 to fewer than 7,000 by 2022.
The school has also endured recent leadership changes. In March 2025, Shantay N. Bolton assumed the role of president, replacing Kwang-Wu Kim, who resigned after facing internal unrest and a six-week faculty strike over job security and curriculum changes.
Student Programs Reshaped by Cuts
The latest round of changes reshapes the Columbia experience for students. College administrators indicated the intent is to align curriculum with demand, ensuring that resources support majors with higher enrollment.
However, some within the college community have expressed concern that the elimination of tenured roles could erode the quality and stability of instruction — especially in creative and interdisciplinary fields that thrive on faculty continuity.
What Comes Next for Columbia?
With budget issues still looming, further program shifts may be on the horizon. President Bolton is expected to present a strategic recovery plan later this summer, which could outline long-term restructuring goals and additional cost-saving measures.
Despite the financial challenges, Bolton has expressed optimism that Columbia can redefine its mission to remain relevant in Chicago’s higher education landscape.
Are you a Columbia student or alum impacted by these changes? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments on ChicagoSuburbanFamily.com — your voice matters in shaping the future of Chicago’s academic institutions.
