The beleaguered University of Alaska (UA) this week said it will furlough all of its top administrators, including the institution’s president, chancellors and deans, in the upcoming fiscal year, to deal with revenue loss due to the coronavirus pandemic, reported Alaska Public Radio.
Jim JohnsenUA has also furloughed 120 lower-level employees.
The university is already grappling with a three-year, $70 million state funding cut, which includes a $25 million cut in the fiscal year that starts July 1. And now, the coronavirus pandemic has led to new costs and reduced revenue.
As many as 166 employees will be impacted by the furloughs and the move is expected to save the university system $554,000.
“I’m trying as hard as possible to minimize the impact of the budget reductions on our line faculty and staff across the university system,” said university president Jim Johnsen. “Everybody is going to be contributing in one way or another to meeting these budget reduction requirements.”
Johnsen, chancellors, provosts and chief officers will be furloughed for 10 days. Senior administrators will be furloughed for eight days.
