The University of Akron joined a growing list of colleges and universities exercising severe fiscal belt-tightening in the new budget year when it announced this week that 213 staffers were losing their jobs. The university is attempting to offset a reported $40 million deficit.
However, it disputes reports that it is closing its Multicultural Center although it is laying off its three staff members. The center had worked with The Office of International Programs and The Confucius Institute at the university to conduct intercultural programs.
Lawerence Burns, the university’s vice president of Advancement, issued the following statement:
“Media reports that The University of Akron plans to close its Multicultural Center and University Press are incorrect. Neither entity will close, and UA’s commitment to both diversity and the support of the humanities is resolute.
“The Multicultural Center’s operations are being consolidated with the university’s Office of Inclusion & Equity. This consolidated unit is being elevated and will report directly to the president.
“University Press operations are being transferred to UA’s Division of Libraries.”