School of the Art Institute of Chicago Lays Off 20 Workers

"The School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) laid off 20 workers last week, citing financial strain that the institution attributed to changes in enrollment. Among the roles terminated were three of the five positions in the Video Data Bank, a major resource for early, experimental, and contemporary video art, in a move some worry will dramatically impact the organization's operations."

"The layoffs affected several departments across the academic institution, said Myia Brown, assistant director of Career and Professional Experience at SAIC and president of th in e American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees union representing workers at the institution, in an email to Hyperallergic. The SAIC declined to provide details on the 15 additional employees laid off outside of the Video Data Bank. Brown said that six union positions were eliminated in the cuts."

"According to one survey, international college student enrollment fell by 17% this fall, largely due to uncertainty surrounding student visas. "Like many colleges, SAIC is facing financial pressures due to changes in federal policy and their effects on enrollment," a spokesperson for the institution told Hyperallergic. "We have taken several actions to reduce spending, including the elimination of a limited number of staff roles throughout the college in order to better center the academic mission.""

SAIC laid off 20 workers last week, citing financial strain attributed to changes in enrollment. Among the terminated roles were three of five positions in the Video Data Bank, a major resource for early, experimental, and contemporary video art, raising concerns about the organization's operations. The layoffs affected several departments and eliminated six union positions represented by AFSCME; the union represents 233 employees. A spokesperson cited federal policy changes affecting enrollment and said the college eliminated a limited number of staff roles to better center the academic mission. Tax documents indicate the museum and school collectively employ over 3,500 individuals.

Read at Hyperallergic