Eastern Kentucky University President Michael Benson is alerting the university community of far reaching cost saving measures now under consideration. That could include job reductions totaling 200.
In a campus wide email, Benson said the Budget Advisory Committee was charged with coming up with a plan to deal with an anticipated $25 million budget impact over the 2019-2020 fiscal years. He says the budget dilemma involves additional pension costs, along with projected state cuts in funding, plus decreased tuition revenues.
The recommendations include a reduction in workforce that affects filled and vacant positions, both academic and administrative, that total about 200 positions. The email mentions the possible closure of the Danville regional campus and academic program suspensions. A reduction of funding for all EKU athletics and possible elimination of one to two non-revenue generating sports teams is also under review.
As a way of creating additional revenues to blunt the increased demands, there’s a recommendation to create new online offerings of popular programs. The Advisory Committee recommendations are expected to be brought before the EKU Board of Regents at its April sixth meeting.
