I don't know about them "only" caring for their research. They also care about getting paid I know that for sure. And if they really didn't care at all about their students they would probably find them a job that nets them more money. For me it is professor by professor, some of them care for there students some just care about getting paid and getting to the next class.
What was the reasoning by cutting that many teachers? Was there some sort of scandal, school budget couldn't pay for all of them, or they have high standards for their teachers having their students getting good grades?