The Sept. 3 article “‘Vast majority’ of instructors will keep jobs in the spring” was a textbook case of spin. 
In an e-mail to the faculty last week, Chancellor Martin confirmed what Eric Monday, vice chancellor for Finance and Administrative Services, assured us in the article:  that most of the 240 instructor positions in jeopardy are safe at least through this academic year.
And yet, 13 full-time foreign language instructors and one part-time instructor will not have their contracts
renewed at the end of this semester. 
“Those cuts represent the total elimination of the Japanese, Swahili, Portuguese and Russian programs, as well as cuts to the faculty of Italian, German and classical language programs.” 
One message that this article sends is that foreign languages are the unnecessary frills of a university education.
But what of these unlucky fourteen faculty members? Among them they have more than 160 years of combined service to the University. They have taught thousands of students language, literature and culture and have produced well-rounded, broadly-educated citizens.     
 Now the University is telling them:  Their services are no longer needed, effective Jan. 21, 2011.  It argues that times are tough and that budget cuts are responsible. 
But dismissing these 14 modestly-paid faculty members in the middle of the academic year saves the University approximately $300,000 in salary and benefits, less than 1 percent of the overall budget shortfall of $43,000,000 for the fiscal year 2010-11.
 The immediate effects for these faculty members and their students?  Students taking Japanese, Portuguese, Russian, and Swahili will not be able to continue their languages of choice.  They can transfer to another university if they want to continue, or LSU has said it is willing to waive or bend their language
requirements – a worthless gesture for those students who genuinely want to learn one of these languages. 
Most of the faculty members have made their home in Baton Rouge. They have mortgages and families here. The probability of their finding another job in their chosen fields within commuting distance of Baton Rouge for the spring semester is virtually non-existent.
And finding a job at another university? Easier said than done. 
Most universities only hire for the academic year.  Job applications submitted this fall are for positions beginning in August 2011. 
And positions are scarce, especially since other universities are following LSU’s precedent by reducing or eliminating foreign language options.
 As a result, these faculty members are facing unemployment for a minimum of eight months.  They will pay into health care benefits that they will never be able to take advantage of and they will lose their health insurance. They are facing a crisis of purpose, wondering why they have been singled out by the University for non-reappointment when the “”Vast majority’ of instructors will keep jobs in the spring.”
 
Johanna Sandrock
Instructor of Classics
 
 
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