Southern University of New Orleans was faced with a $2.6 million budgetary shortfall after a reduction in aid from the state of Louisiana. To close the budget gap, the university will not fill 17 faculty and staff vacancies. Three faculty members retired and will not be replaced and seven staff members were subjected to layoffs. These personnel decisions will save the university more than $1.5 million.
The university has also implemented an energy conservation plan that is expected to significantly lower energy costs. Operational and maintenance expenditures will also be reduced to close the budget shortfall.
Victor Ukpolo, chancellor of Southern University of New Orleans, stated, “We will continue to make evaluations going forward to see where we can reduce expenses as well as aggressively pursue ways to increase our revenues. Unfortunately after years of budget cuts, we are now faced with some very difficult decisions. I am confident that SUNO will not only survive this difficult period, but rebound stronger than ever.”
