Chicago, Illinois-based Illinois Institute of Technology, a private research university, has announced a staff reduction prior to the commencement of its fall semester.

The reduction in force will impact 160 faculty and staff members.

According to Illinois Tech President Raj Echambadi, “The university's finances have taken a hit from declines in research funding and foreign student enrollment. The university has no choice but to pursue targeted reductions to address these challenges and protect our mission as an opportunity engine for all. As always, we will continue to place students at the center of all that we do and to ensure educational excellence at Illinois Tech.”

Change is constant, and it's coming. There will always be a tomorrow, no matter how much you may try to ignore it. There are no guarantees in life, nor promises of a bright future. We see good people being laid off through no fault of their own. Just because something terrible hasn't happened yet doesn't mean it won't. It can happen to anyone, at any time, anywhere. No one is guaranteed to wake up tomorrow and still have a job by evening. While many employees can read the writing on the wall, why do most assume it’s targeted at someone else? Are you now wondering, Am I Next?