When emotions run high, it’s easy for misinformation to spread. It seems that some misinformation regarding yesterday’s announcement has been spreading.
For the sake of those being negatively affected by it, the University would like to provide the following clarifications:
Health Insurance. When employment ends at any business or organization, related benefits also come to a close. COBRA is a federal health insurance option available to anyone who is currently without employment-provided health benefits and is willing to pay for it.
While there are no state or federal regulations requiring employers to cover the cost of benefits post-employment (including severance, out-placement services, or COBRA), employers may choose to cover these costs for separated employees.
This is the case with the University of Lynchburg. Employer-related health benefits end 5/31/24, as is normal for any company. Unlike many companies, however, Lynchburg is choosing to cover 3 months of COBRA costs for its separated employees.
How the separation news was conveyed. There is no easy way to share hard news. Hours of deliberation went into identifying the most humane way to share this difficult news.
In the end, it was decided that asking people to wait hours for an individual appointment (say, at 3 p.m.) when word would have gotten out regarding others who’d had a separation appointment earlier in the day (say, 9 a.m.) seemed cruel.
Telling everyone in one big group seemed impersonal. Telling people at the same time in smaller groups with people they know and care about seemed to provide the greatest opportunity for mutual support and clear communication that no one was going through their situation alone.
Lynchburg’s Performing Arts. The University of Lynchburg has a long-standing relationship with the arts, which have been an integral part of the institution for generations.
Over the past few years, however, the student dynamic in these areas has shifted — more students are participating in the performing arts, but fewer are majoring in them.
Lynchburg’s decision to remove these majors comes from listening to our students and watching how they want to engage in the arts. While the majors will be taught out (every student currently majoring in theatre or music will be able to finish their degree in those majors), opportunities to participate in the arts will be expanded, not reduced.
The experience of performing arts at Lynchburg will not only remain but grow. Only the ability to have a narrowly focused major is being removed.
Change is painful for everyone, but during difficult times, it’s critical to minimize the unnecessary anxiety misinformation can cause. Thank you for being mindful of this and for understanding how deeply impactful communication can be.
