The layoffs go into effect April 15
WEST WINDSOR -- Mercer County Community College is outsourcing some of its information technology work in a move that is expected to improve services, but result in few layoffs.
"Technology moves rapidly, and it was determined that it was in the best interest of the college and the students it serves to bring in outside expertise to elevate the college's IT services to the most current technology available," spokesman Jim Gardner said. "This will make registration easier, financial aid services more efficient and will better coordinate scheduling and other critical college functions."
Layoff notices have been issued to six of the IT department's 22 employees. The layoffs go into effect April 15.
Twelve workers will move into other departments to serve as an IT liaison, a newly created position. Others have been offered new jobs with the proposed outside vendor, Ellucian, while some opted to retire.
Gardner said that as of Friday afternoon, it appears that at most two employees will be displaced. Still, he said, the college is working with other towns and agencies to try to find new jobs for them.
Last month, President Jianping Wang was authorized to begin negotiations with Ellucian, a company she became familiar with at Ocean County College as the vice president of academic affairs.
"Ellucian is not just our service provider. We view Ellucian as our partner in many important endeavors of Ocean County College," Wang was quoted as saying in a company pamphlet. "Ellucian brings to Ocean County College its rich experience and broad research capabilities to improve our services to our students."
The contract requires Board of Trustees approval and will be discussed at the next meeting on March 17. The agreement would run three to five years, after which it will be brought in-house again.
The IT reorganization is expected to save the college about $500,000 over three years, Gardner said.
"Within five years -- once internal efficiencies are fully implemented -- it is the intent that IT services will once again be an internal function at Mercer County Community College," he said.
Cristina Rojas may be reached at crojas@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @CristinaRojasTT. Find The Times of Trenton on Facebook.