Stockton University’s decision to eliminate 21 faculty and professional staff positions didn’t emerge from a sudden financial crisis. University records show the warning signs have been building for years, as declining enrollment, rising expenses and changes in state support have created a persistent gap between what Stockton brings in and what it spends. SouthJerseyNewsBeat.com reports Stockton President Joe Bertolino informed the university community Tuesday that the school intends to eliminate 14 faculty positions and seven professional staff positions at the end of the academic year as the university works to address a structural deficit of roughly $20 million.