University News
An Update on WIU's Financially Sustainable Future
August 9, 2024
MACOMB, IL - - In the ongoing effort to achieve fiscal sustainability and structure the future of the University, Western Illinois University has made the difficult decision to implement faculty and staff layoffs. The decision comes after extensive exploration of a variety of cost-saving measures and reflects WIU's commitment to a financially sustainable future.
As part of the cost-containment strategy, 57 faculty (40 Unit A and 17 Unit B) and 32 staff positions will be eliminated, affecting a range of departments and roles. With a focus on maintaining high-quality academic programs, excellent services and engaging on-campus experiences, the University has made every effort to minimize the impact on students.
Other measures that have been taken include:
- Non renewal of 35 Unit B faculty contracts effective July 1
- A hiring suspension and spending freeze implemented on June 3
- Over 100 vacant positions eliminated from future budgets, including two vice president positions
- Department consolidation and restructuring in order to improve operational efficiencies
- Departmental operating budgets reductions
- Discontinuation of non-essential contractual agreements
- Increased efficiency through continued reductions in building operations
- Strategic reduction and realignment of student aid
WIU will continue to serve students on the Quad Cities Campus; however building operations will be streamlined. As the University implements the Quad Cities Strategic Initiatives Plan, adjustments will be made to program offerings, and as a result, 16 faculty and staff positions will be relocated to the Macomb campus next year. The Quad Cities Campus will continue to offer select undergraduate and graduate programs on campus, and students will have access to several online programs. Students will also have access to student services, activities and amenities, and the campus will continue to house the Small Business Development Center, WQPT and other University partners.
"In order to address financial stability, we must recognize that our institution, like so many others across the country, must be the right size and the right shape to serve this number of students. I want to acknowledge the gravity of these decisions and the profound impact they will have on our dedicated faculty and staff, and the impact personnel reductions have on our Macomb and Quad Cities communities," WIU Interim President Kristi Mindrup said.
Following Board of Trustee regulations and contractual agreements, Unit A faculty will have the academic year to continue to teach, and Unit B faculty will remain on contract through the Fall semester. Civil service employees were provided 90 days notice and Board of Trustee regulations and contractual agreements were followed in the notice given to academic support professional and administrative employees.
"Each person affected by these changes has contributed positively to Western Illinois University's mission. Each individual takes great care in their work to educate and serve students and is woven into the fabric of our University. It is heartbreaking to come to this point in our institution's path where we are at a crossroads with no choice but to make a significant financial shift for the ultimate sustainability of the institution," Mindrup added.
WIU Human Resources will offer support to all affected employees, including counseling services, a job fair in the Fall semester, and four Rapid Response sessions over two campuses, where the Illinois Department of Employment Security and the State Universities Retirement System (SURS) will be in attendance to give presentations.
Mindrup and the leadership team will continue to actively explore new revenue opportunities and cost-saving measures to stabilize the budget, and as a result of these efforts, WIU will be positioned to evolve and innovate by attracting new markets of students, increasing student retention and transfer experiences and responding to the educational workforce development needs of our region and beyond.
Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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