Illinois Institute of Technology laid off roughly 160 faculty and staff ahead of the fall semester, citing the need to “ensure fiscal stability” amid demographic decline, research cutbacks, and restrictions affecting international students. The institution said the restructuring will preserve a 15-to-1 student-faculty ratio after changes, down from a 14-to-1 ratio reported for fall 2024. IT governance conflict surfaced alongside the cuts: WBEZ Chicago reported the faculty senate issued a no-confidence vote against the president and provost just before the layoffs. Illinois Tech’s governing board, meanwhile, backed leadership, saying it reaffirmed its “confidence” and supported an “academic transformation and financial restructuring.” The college had posted enrollment growth through 2024, but fall headcount reportedly fell more than 15% in fall 2025. The layoffs underscore how quickly balance sheets can deteriorate when enrollment—especially international enrollment—turns. With operating surpluses in fiscal years 2024 and 2025, the near-term challenge is whether cost actions will restore sustainability without eroding academic capacity or institutional trust.