Dear Oldabe: thank you for taking the time to reply at length.

I don't think I've ever said the US higher ed system is perfect. Indeed, I've been criticized for critiquing it, as well as for describing its decline.

"Do you document whether the programs cut, the people cut and any impacted college or graduate-bound students were essential to the goals and successes of those institutions?"

It's a good question. The consensus answer within higher ed is that these positions were essential; being cut, the institution is lessened, and perhaps changed. One example of the latter is when a campus becomes less of a university and more of a professional school.

"For any students impacted, do you document whether they have been able to pivot and gain acceptance to other programs and/or universities? "

That's where teaching out comes in. Sometimes a campus will leave faculty and staff in position for a time to let students finish their programs. Otherwise they make arrangements with other institutions.

"Not to belittle the emotional impact but you leave us to believe that every result is near life-ending and devastating."

Hm, I tried to avoid that extremity by speaking of damage.