Cleveland State University is laying off 14 employees as officials continue to figure out ways to fill a projected $40 million budget gap.
The university is making these cuts independently of the buyout packages offered earlier this year. Those deals were extended to both faculty and staff members who have worked there for at least 10 years. Officials are still waiting to see the final numbers of how many people will opt in to those offers.
Instead, the university said these new layoffs – about 2% of Cleveland State’s nearly 900 full-time staff members — will impact positions across campus.
Signal Cleveland asked the university for additional details, including for a breakdown of which departments will be impacted, and will update this story when the university provides more information.
It’s not yet clear when these layoffs will take effect. This announcement comes just days before the university’s fall semester begins Monday, Aug. 26.
Cleveland State says all departments are working to bring down expenses
In a statement to Signal Cleveland Monday, officials said all of the university’s departments are “actively and thoughtfully participating in efforts to bring expenses more in line with anticipated revenues given the declines in enrollment nationwide and at CSU.”
It’s part of recommendations from consulting and accounting firm Ernst & Young. The university worked with EY for months, with that work resulting in a report released in late May.
Consultants said the university could save nearly $11 million combined by reducing both faculty and staff positions.
University President Laura Bloomberg told Signal Cleveland in May that it would be difficult to see those with “deep commitment” leave the institution.
“I think it’s helpful to be sincere, transparent, to understand that this hurts to downsize,” she said.
University officials also said they are “committed to providing support to impacted employees,” per the statement.
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