Education
DePaul University Lays Off More than 100 Staffers Amid Budget Crunch, Drop in International Students
(WTTW News)
DePaul University on Monday announced dozens of staff layoffs it says were caused by “financial headwinds” due largely to a “significant” drop in the number of international graduate students enrolling.
University President Rob Manuel called the last several weeks “some of the most difficult our community has ever experienced” as he announced that DePaul had laid off 114 of its 1,493 — or about 7.6% — full-time and part-time staff.
“These decisions were extraordinarily difficult, and leaders across the university did not make them lightly,” he said in a statement. “Each person affected contributed to the life of this university in meaningful ways.”
DePaul previously said it was seeking to cut $27.4 million in spending. In addition to that enrollment decline, the Lincoln Park-based university also cited an increased demand for financial aid and the rising costs of benefits in announcing the layoffs.
Manuel said university leaders sought to minimize cuts to the student experience, including on-campus employment. According to the university, each vice president and dean made decisions regarding specific reductions to their areas and will communicate with those units about any decisions that will affect operations.
Colleges and universities across the country have faced tighter budgets this year, in part due to federal funding freezes. Locally, Northwestern University, Columbia College and the University of Chicago have already announced staffing reductions this year.
DePaul officials said the school will provide severance packages, career counseling, health insurance subsidies and other resources to support those who have been laid off.
“Care has remained at the center of every step we have taken,” Manuel said. “We know this news weighs heavily on you. The uncertainty leading up to this moment has been stressful, and the loss of colleagues and friends creates a real sense of grief. We want you to know we see that, we feel that, and we are deeply grateful for the compassion you have shown one another throughout this process.”
