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Intellectual property Academic Senate proposes revisions to policy, voting to take place next month NEWS, 4
Volume 104, Number 03
From Pacific to starter
Kaitlyn “K.J.” Lines finds niche after transferring to the Golden Eagles SPORTS, 12
Tuesday, September 10, 2019
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Fewer jobs amid uncertainty
University lays off 24 staff members, dissolves positions By Natallie St. Onge
natallie.stonge@marquette.edu
The university cut 2.5% of its employees last week, which included laying off 24 staff members and not filling 49 current and future vacancies. An email to faculty and staff last Thursday detailed the cuts as part of the university’s “cost management review process.” Out of 2,926 employees, a total of 73 positions in academics, athletics and administrative departments were removed. All new positions will undergo a cross-disciplinary review process, though University President Michael Lovell did not explain of what this will consist of in last Thursday’s email. The university asked deans, vice presidents and vice provosts to give cost management recommendations over the summer. During the past month, the university reviewed the proposals. Lovell said in the email that the
“decisions were made with great care and discernment.” “Change is always hard, and it is especially hard when it impacts people we care about,” Lovell wrote. “We are grateful for their service to Marquette.” The cost management review process is part of the university’s attempt to address financial and demographic challenges affecting the higher education industry, as Lovell expressed in an August letter to faculty and staff. The amount of college-age students is expected to decline by 15% to 25% beginning in 2026, which Lovell said is noted in the book “Demographics and the Demand for Higher Education” by Nathan Grawe. The decline is attributed to less births after the 2008 economic recession. The university will provide laidoff staff with a severance package that includes extended pay and benefits, employee assistance services and career transition and outplacement services. The Office of Mission and Ministry is offering spiritual support to employees affected by the layoffs. Any child of a Marquette
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University President Michael Lovell announced staff layoffs in an email Thursday, citing “cost management.”
employee receiving tuition assistance through the FACHEX tuition exchange program will continue to receive those benefits until completing their ongoing
academic programs. happens within our industry with“I know today’s events will in the months and years ahead, the raise questions and uncertain- leadership team across campus ties about the future,” Lovell said in the email. “No matter what See UNCERTAINTY page 2
Leaders to take second look Poll paints picture Demonstration policy to be revised, faculty responds By Alexa Jurado
alexa.jurado@marquette.edu
Marquette University announced Thursday in a news release that it would reexamine its updated demonstration policy following feedback that recent updates “were unclear or otherwise open to interpretation.” University leaders, the news
release said, are revising the policy and will meet with the University Academic Senate, University Staff Senate and Marquette University Student Government. “Meetings and feedback gathering will take place in the next few weeks,” acting provost Kimo Ah Yun said in an email. The university is looking for input at the University Academic Senate Meeting Sept. 16 at 3 p.m. in Alumni Memorial Union Ballrooms C and D. This meeting is open to all. “Marquette has a demonstration policy in place to balance
INDEX CALENDAR......................................................3 MUPD REPORTS.............................................3 A&E..................................................................8 OPINIONS......................................................10 SPORTS..........................................................12
the right of university community members to freely pursue their academic and vocational objectives without unreasonable obstruction or hindrance, along with the right of university community members to freely communicate by lawful demonstration and protest,” the release said. According to the release, it is inevitable that the spirit of inquiry at Marquette “will produce many conflicts of ideas, opinions and proposals for action.” See LEADERS page 2 NEWS
Sustain the Future
A Milwaukee nonprofit has plans to build a school in Haiti
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Biden leads in headto-head matchup against Trump
By Jenny Whidden and Sarah Lipo
jennifer.whidden@marquette.edu sarah.lipo@marquette.edu
Marquette University Law School poll director Charles Franklin compared the school’s latest 2020 presidential election poll to the second inning of a baseball game. With 14 months before the election, it’s a long way to the bottom of the ninth and ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Spooky season is underway for some, and it’s not even October PAGE 9
the final score. The poll, released Sept. 4, took place Aug. 25-29 and included 800 registered voters in Wisconsin. These voters were interviewed by cell phone or landline with live interviewers. Democratic presidential candidate and former Vice President Joe Biden led over President Donald Trump in a head-tohead matchup, with Biden polling nine points ahead of the current president. Despite the significance of Biden’s lead, Franklin See POLL page 3 OPINIONS
Staff provides comfort Sodexo workers create a home away from home in the halls PAGE 10