Federal Fund Cuts Force Health Dean To Reduce Staff

As a result of a cutback of approximately $3 million in Federal funding, the School of Public Health will be forced to lay off members of the Faculty, the dean of the Faculty of the School of Public Health said yesterday.

Howard H. Hiatt said yesterday that in addition to the School's immediate response of closing the newly-completed $12 million Kresge building, some Faculty would probably not be rehired for next year, and that scholarships and loans for students may also be affected.

"Although only a few Faculty will be laid off, every loss is a great discomfort and will have adverse effects," Hiatt said.

Money for Research

The government has cut all aid to the School except to cancer and heart research programs, which received increased subsidies. Hiatt said that the government is not only harming developments in these unaided areas, but is passing up the chance to find indirect new leads to the problems of cancer and heart disease.

"I think the government decision is short-sighted. The immediate effects on the health of the city [Boston] will be adverse, and the long-range effects, if the policies are continued, could be disastrous," Hiatt said.