University of Akron To Cut 215 Jobs, Raise Tuition By $10M Amid Financial Woes
ByThe University of Akron will eliminate 215 jobs and raise tuition as part of a three-year plan to save $60 million, Inside Higher Ed reported.
The plan will reduce school expenses by $40 million, raise graduate tuition and undergraduate fees by $10 million, and project profitable enrollment growth in the third year of the plan by $10 million, according to school officials.
"The University of Akron's future is bright, but first we need to fix its finances," President Scott Scarborough said in a statement. "Our review indicates [University of Akron] has a $60 million financial problem, and we have developed a three-year plan to solve that problem."
In order to save $40 million in expenses, the university will eliminate 215 non-faculty positions via a "planned reduction in workforce," outsource dining services, get rid of the school's baseball team and reduce central costs, such as legal fees and University memberships. The university will also eliminate non-academic programming in EJ Thomas Hall, except for rentals and change the university's retire/rehire policy.
The plan was drafted following a nine-month review and analysis of the school's finances.
"The most painful but necessary reduction is the abolishment of filled positions," said Scarborough.
Affected employees will be notified later this month, after the University ensures it has complied with all applicable government regulations and contractual agreements.
According to Northeast Ohio Media Group, some students went on Twitter to express their outrage at the university cuts.
Student McKayla Phillips tweeted, "All these cuts are 'necessary' but Scarborough's $400,000 salary is completely fine."
Ashley Lamb criticized the administration for possibly ruining the college experience.
According to Inside Higher Ed, campaigns have been launched to protest the cuts.