Ross University informs Dominica staff of plan to make some layoffs in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria

​Ross University School of Medicine informs Dominica staff in writing, of plans to make some layoffs in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria, which has resulted the need to make changes to the operations of the school.
 
Dean of Ross University, Dr William F Owen Jr informed staff in a letter last week, that consequent upon the relocation of about 1300 members of the campus community to St Kitts, and the temporary relocation of some of the school’s operations to the state of Tennessee in the United States, they have assessed and reviewed the work needed to sustain and restore the home campus.
 
Dr. Owen’s letter stated, “As many of you have experienced the move to St Kitts, the workload in Dominica has lessened substantially. As a result, we will continue to maintain a core staff in Dominica, we will no longer be able to continue to employ our entire Dominican Campus as we have since Hurricane Maria. We know this is a difficult message especially at this time of year. However, as many of you have expressed to us in personal letters and inquiries, you have a strong desire to understand what is next for our campus in Dominica, and we agree that it is the right approach to be transparent.”
 
Dr Owen added, “those impacted by our changing work needs will receive a financial package, and will continue to receive their regular pay through the official notice period.” He promised that‘as soon as an exact date is confirmed, it will be provided to you. and we will communicate exact timing for colleagues for their planning, and all colleagues can be assured that they will continue to receive their full pay and benefits through to the end of Januaryat least”.
 
He said the school will ensure that transitioning colleagues receive support beginning with in-person meetings in early January to notify them of their status.Ross University School of Medicine was established in Dominica in 1978 as the University of Dominica School of Medicine. The institution’s contribution to Dominica’s economy has grown over the years.