On July 15, immediately following a communication to all faculty and staff, CalArts emailed CU-UAW to discuss two workforce-reduction actions: 1) A voluntary, phased reduction in teaching for eligible Regular and Technical Faculty, and 2) The elimination of approximately 12 currently filled staff positions (both union and non-union). CalArts and the designated CU-UAW bargaining team met to discuss these items on July 22. Prior to the meeting, CU-UAW provided several requests for information to CalArts, which CalArts responded to on July 17 and July 21.
During the discussion, CU-UAW asked additional questions of CalArts, which the Institute responded to. Specifically, CalArts explained that the Board of Trustees, between last fiscal year (FY25) and this upcoming fiscal year (FY26), approved about $25.9 million to be drawn from the endowment to help the Institute through this moment—both to float the year-over-year deficit until it is closed, and to allow for funding of the voluntary separation packages that went into effect this month. CalArts further explained that such special draws from the endowment must be limited—if further permitted at all—due to rules set by the laws governing endowments.
CalArts must still close the ongoing, structural gap between its revenue and expenses and adjust to a smaller enrollment, which, unfortunately, requires the elimination of some positions. As explained in the July 15 message, the Institute is attempting to accomplish such savings through eliminating vacant positions when possible; however, to achieve the $1.3 million in immediately necessary savings, some currently filled positions, including management positions, will be impacted. CU-UAW stated that it would follow the meeting with either additional information requests and/or further bargain on these matters at the next meeting, which was set for July 29, 2025.