Bethel Reduces Staff, Budget, Sports Programs

McKENZIE (June 27) — Bethel University has slightly reduced the number of faculty and staff during the past week in an effort to balance the budget.

On June 26, in the final days of his interim presidency at the university, the Reverend Dr. Robert Watkins, emailed faculty and staff explaining the institution’s financial predicament and the measures taken to address it. “These actions are difficult and cause distress, but they are necessary to establish a sustainable financial foundation to serve our students,” Watkins said.

Bethel is one of a growing number of US colleges and universities facing financial strain – often due to increasing operating costs and declining enrollment. Some schools have chosen to merge with other institutions. Others are cutting programs and staff, while others are shutting down altogether. A case in point is Lambuth University in Jackson, which closed over a decade ago.

Bethel is not new to financial struggles and challenges and has always found a way to grow and survive. In the 1970s, Bethel had a significant downturn in enrollment, causing financial challenges. That coincided with the phasing down of the Vietnam War and the elimination of the military deferment in relation to college admission.

Bethel innovated and was one of the first universities to start adult degree-completion programs, called Success, that provided opportunities for non-traditional students to attain a college degree. It also started a physician assistant training program, Renaissance, and many sports.

According to Dr. Watkins, the post COVID-19 enrollment shortfall faced by most educational institutions caught the university somewhat by surprise. Reduced enrollment also meant fewer funds for programs but without a corresponding reduction in expenses. Initially, a hiring freeze, suspension of the retirement matching program, and elimination of non-essential spending addressed the issue. Bethel also secured Employee Retention Credit funding from the federal government, which also alleviated the shortfall somewhat.

Watkins continued, “In order to achieve a balanced budget, we took additional steps to reduce Bethel’s expenses to a level commiserate with our current enrollment and revenue. This included the elimination of our swimming, bowling, and inline skating programs, reduction in faculty and staff positions, cutting back operating expenses, and other measures.”

“We will truly miss those faculty and staff members affected by these layoffs, but these steps will allow Bethel to maintain the financial strength necessary to provide the educational and experiential learning environment necessary for our students to succeed,” Watkins said.

Faculty and staff reductions have cost a few of the employees their positions and numerous already vacant positions will not be filled.

Dr. Watkins’ tenure ended June 30. Bethel’s new president, Dr. Perry Moulds began his service at Bethel on July 1.

Dr. Moulds comes from Belmont University, where he served as senior assistant to the president for philanthropic initiatives. He previously served as Belmont’s vice president for advancement from 2014 until 2023. Moulds succeeds Walter Butler, who retired in December after leading the university for 10 years. Alumnus and former trustee Dr. Bob Watkins has served the university as interim president since Butler’s retirement.

Information from Matthew Gore, Cumberland Presbyterian Magazine, Banner staff, and other sources.