Thread regarding Heald College layoffs

So, I've been with three colleges that have been sold to new companies (not just bad luck - this is over twenty years). There is one thing that is always the same. In the very beginning, all of the information from the new company is "YOU'RE the experts in your students and programs, we just want to let you do your thing." and "business as usual." Nothing changes at first as they want to keep people calm and have their people learn the business, evaluate the staff, and make plans for change. Then...SWOOSH! Suddenly people are disappearing right and left and departments have new names as the few remaining staff are absorbed into the new company's operations. I know there are others out there who have been through this as well (assuming we are getting sold, which is far from certain). Have you also experienced the "calm before the storm"? Which levels and types of staff did you see let go and how quickly? I think in all three of my experiences it was top execs first, most accounting and HR staff next, and then a mix.