Why, it's faculty, of course! When UCLA cuts 10% of its course offerings, students certainly feel the impact, but a lion's share of the burden will fall on contingent faculty members who offer college administrations the "flexibility" to cut labor costs. Here's the irony, though - administrators talk about this "flexibility" in terms of responding to enrollment - if enrollment rises, they're able to meet demand by drawing from a pool of adjuncts. If enrollment drops, well... But now we're in a situation where enrollment is again rising (as is often the case in economic downturns), but instead of bringing in more professionals to teach, universities are cutting back on courses even more!

All of this underscores the massive disinvestment that has occurred in academic instruction over the last 30 years. It not only affects the ability of students to receive an affordable education, it has a very real impact on the scholars and teachers who serve these students. The New York Times is absolutely correct to point out how students and institutions are being squeezed in this recession - they should do more, however, to document where these cuts are cruelest - on the professionals whose job it is to educate.