California College of the Arts, which last week announced that it had been acquired by Vanderbilt University, has informed 28 employees that their roles will be eliminated at the end of this semester.
Lindsay Wright, a spokesperson for the school, said the “positions were spread across the institution with decisions made based on anticipation of the college’s ongoing needs through academic year 26-27.”
Of the 28 affected employees, 21 were unionized, according to Letizia Zamudio, a spokesperson for SEIU Local 1021, which represents nonmanagerial school workers.
In an email sent to staff Wednesday morning, CCA said only nonfaculty employees would be laid off at this time.
The unionized staff members being cut come from the school’s largest administrative departments: academic affairs, the business office, communications, enrollment services, the president’s office, student affairs, and technology services. Notably, the layoffs spared the second-largest department, studio operations, which has staff roles that allow students to access essential equipment like kilns.
Not including faculty roles, CCA employs 218 staffers across 22 departments, according to its website. They work in academic, administrative, and operational roles that support instruction, student life, and campus operations.
In a meeting Friday, CCA President David Howse and members of human resources informed staff that they would email details about layoffs Wednesday, according to those in attendance.
At 10:57 a.m., human resources emailed all CCA staff. “As we continue operations through the 2026-2027 academic year, we remain focused on supporting our students and sustaining core instructional and operational needs,” the email said. “As a result, positions across the College will evolve or be eliminated over the coming 18 months, informed by enrollment, academic planning, and operational considerations.”
The affected workers received notice in their inboxes soon after. “This is to inform you that the position you hold at CCA will be permanently eliminated,” the letters said. “While this transition marks the conclusion of your role at CCA, I want to sincerely recognize the value and contributions that you have brought to the institution, and wish you all the best in further pursuits.”
CCA last laid off staff in September 2024. When 23 staffers were let go (opens in new tab) at that time, the school cited its $20 million budget deficit.
This is a developing story and will be updated.