WLU Cuts 14 Positions To Help Overcome $2.7M Deficit
Trending
WEST LIBERTY -- West Liberty University is cutting 14 employee positions to help balance its Fiscal Year 2023-24 budget.
WLU interim President Cathy Monteroso said Wednesday the university was facing a $2.7 million deficit, which led to the cuts along with other measures considered during the past four months.
"A gap of that size required several initiatives to close and many more were considered in pursuit of this challenging and critically important task," she said in a news release.
"Managing the complexities of our needs in conjunction with a budget reduction of that magnitude was a monumental task.
"It couldn't have been achieved without the talent and dedication of all the people in the process. The Cabinet and I are grateful to everyone who contributed."
In addition to cabinet members, the school's deans, chairpersons, directors and budget managers also contributed to the plan.
Regarding the elimination of some positions, Monteroso said it was "not done without exploring all other options."
Before WLU's Board of Governor's meeting on Wednesday, Monteroso said five positions were eliminated, five positions were not renewed/replaced and four faculty positions were not renewed/replaced.
"Altogether that was 14 positions - about $1 million worth," she added.
Monteroso declined to give details about what non-faculty positions were cut but said the faculty jobs were "across the board."
"We had some from the college of education, we had some from sciences that weren't replaced," she said.
Monteroso said there are no plans to renew those positions in the near future. She noted that incoming President Tim Borchers was made aware of the process while it was happening.
"I kept him up to date on the process," she said.
Monteroso said the cuts will not impact student services.
"That was our No. 1 priority when we were looking at the budget was making sure we were providing student services; so it won't affect student services or courses we're delivering," she said.
Employees impacted by the eliminations already have been notified.
"Higher education nationwide is facing some challenges out of control of the individual
institutions," she said. "The number of high school graduates is shrinking, and a smaller percentage of those graduates are applying for college.
"In addition, we are still dealing with a residual impact from the pandemic. Still, none of these challenges relieve WLU of the responsibility to produce a balanced budget and remain focused on our vision to enhance the student experience."
Monteroso noted it was "essential" to provide Borchers with a balanced budget and plan. He is scheduled to start in the position July 1.
Some of the other measures taken to balance the budget included a continuous campus-wide evaluation of departmental needs; evaluation of the financial impact of resignations and retirements; departmental restructuring to consolidate and redistribute duties; and close scrutiny of all position requests.
WLU Board of Governors Chairman Rich Lucas said prior to the meeting Wednesday that the board did not have to approve the position eliminations.
"The tough spot was management was put in the role of finding, digging and acting on the necessary cuts," Lucas said. "That's still a cabinet/management role to make the cuts. The board of governors sets the budget. The board of governors oversees the total budget, but the detail of the line item is a management role."
Lucas noted it is a difficult time for most higher education institutions across the state including WLU. He said whether the positions would be refilled in the future is something that will continuously have to be assessed.
"If enrollment increases, if a program increases, if the necessity arises, management won't leave anything unturned and they will stay on the assessments consistently," he said.
For students or parents who might be concerned by the changes, Lucas said they should stay in touch with and talk to their faculty and counselors.