Cullinan’s golden parachute

The decision to award former President Cullinan paid leave for a full academic year can only serve to weaken Eastern Washington University during one of the most daunting challenges of its 138 year history. But, students will pay the real price. Dozens of long-serving faculty and staff have already been laid off in the aftermath of Cullinan’s leadership. Others have been forced to apply for government food assistance due to reductions in contracts and loss of benefits.

The folks who hold those positions are true stewards of teaching and learning at Eastern and often serve as the primary tether for students to the university. Those bonds risk being severed as contracts are severed for those at the heart of daily operations. The estimated $228,000 Cullinan will earn in ‘20-‘21 could fund a half-dozen, or more, lecturers and contingent faculty who teach a significant portion of the students at Eastern. Although some conditions for Cullinan’s retreat to faculty were stipulated by contract, many were not. To suggest such a golden parachute is “customary” is not only incorrect, it reveals a complete disregard for the success of Eastern’s students.

As the campus community anxiously awaits a plan that could result in lay-offs of up to a third of remaining faculty, paying that sum to anyone not actively supporting students is simply unconscionable. Eastern desperately needs its leaders to make decisions that will safeguard the success of its students, and student learning conditions depend on faculty in classrooms.

Christopher Kirby

Spokane