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Wilberforce University, facing $2.8 million shortfall, to cut jobs, salaries
Friday, November 14, 2008
Wilberforce University students William Ramsey, left, from Philadelphia, Penn., and Shyanne Clark from Brooklyn, N.Y. hug on campus Friday, Nov. 14. The university announced that it will cut jobs and reduce salaries due to a $2.8 million budget shortfall.WILBERFORCE — Wilberforce University plans to cut jobs and reduce salaries in response to a $2.8 million budget shortfall for the current academic year, the university's interim president said.
Wilberforce will cut six to eight staff positions starting Friday, Nov. 14, said Patricia Hardaway, interim president. There are no plans to cut faculty positions. The salary cuts will total $850,000. "Those are across the board, starting with me," Hardaway said. Wilberforce's total annual operating budget was $15.6 million before the cuts.
"While we are seeing an increase in alumni giving and Board (of Trustees) support, some of the university's primary revenue streams, including private giving, endowment revenue and tuition, have been significantly impacted by a hemorrhaging economy," Hardaway said. "That is why we are moving swiftly and thoughtfully to ensure the financial stability of this institution."
Wilberforce also announced plans to reduce its non-personnel operations budget by 30 percent; issue three employee furloughs during the current academic year; and ask employees who have not previously paid into their insurance fund to contribute a small amount.
The furloughs will occur during holidays and scheduled breaks and will not impact students or their classes. The operations budget cuts will include non-essential travel, memberships and equipment such as cell phones and Blackberry devices, Hardaway said.
Wilberforce officials held campus-wide meetings on Thursday, Nov. 13, to address the situation with faculty, staff and students. Officials also plan to communicate with students' parents, as well as with employees "to inform each one of the specific impact of these changes," Hardaway said.
"We expect that by June 30, the end of our fiscal year, we will be able to look at reinstating some of the measure that we've taken away through this budget adjustment," Hardaway said.
Chartered and opened in 1856, Wilberforce is the nation's oldest private, historically black university. Wilberforce has a total enrollment of more than 800 students.
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2419 or dlarsen@DaytonDailyNews.com.
