University of Louisiana at Lafayette announces layoff of 51 staff to reduce $25M recurring deficit
The University of Louisiana at Lafayette (UL) has laid off 51 employees and vacated an additional 19 positions as part of a plan to address a $25 million structural budget deficit, the Acadiana Advocate reported. Interim University President Jaimie Hebert confirmed the reductions in an email to faculty and staff.The cuts affect civil service and non-civil service employees across all divisions and come after careful consideration by division vice presidents, administrators, and supervisors, Hebert said in conversation with the Acadiana Advocate. “These personnel changes were not made lightly. They came after thorough consideration of needs and priorities,” he added.Positions eliminated across multiple divisionsThe 70 affected positions include retirements, resignations, reassignments, and layoffs. The university has also restructured the Office of Communications and Marketing and the Office of Auxiliary Services, while the Office of Sustainability and Community Engagement has been closed.“Each affected employee has contributed to the life and mission of this University. We are grateful for their service to our students, colleagues and community,” Hebert said in an email obtained by the Acadiana Advocate.These reductions are in addition to six positions eliminated in September. UL officials said the measures have already reduced the $25 million structural deficit by $20 million, leaving $5 million still to be addressed.Plans for further reductionsHebert indicated the university will aim for an additional $15 million in reductions over the coming months. The plan is to eliminate the remaining $5 million structural deficit and further reduce the recurring annual deficit, reported the Acadiana Advocate.UL’s financial challenges follow audits that highlighted problems with university finances, including late billing over three consecutive years. The Louisiana Legislative Auditor identified these issues in late spring, which UL attributed to staffing shortages and turnover. An earlier audit revealed a $12.6 million deficit in UL’s Athletic Department, as reported by the Acadiana Advocate.Administrative changes amid fiscal concernsHebert became interim president in July after Joseph Savoie stepped down a year early. Savoie now serves as president emeritus. UL’s vice president of finance and administration, Jerry Luke LeBlanc, resigned in May, with Edwin Litolff serving as interim vice president of finance, the Acadiana Advocate reported.During his first address to UL stakeholders last month, Hebert said fiscal stability and process efficiency are top priorities. The university has also faced challenges in full-time undergraduate enrolment, which peaked at 14,964 in 2017 and has not reached that figure since, contributing to financial pressures.
