DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) - Eastern Illinois University is eliminating more than 60 positions across campus due to revenue declines, according to EIU President Jay Gatrell.
Gatrell notified employees about the staff reductions in an email on Tuesday.
The email called the day "difficult."
Gatrell said in the email, "We recognize the pain and uncertainly this news brings to those directly affected and to all who care deeply about Eastern Illinois University and our shared mission."
The email said the university will eliminate 17 staff positions, 23 annual contracted instructor non-renewals, and four non-renewals for academic support professionals. It will also eliminate 19 vacant or soon-to-be vacant positions across all divisions.
Gatrell said impacted employees have already been notified.
According to a 2024 university fact sheet, the school employed 1,275 full-time and part-time employees.
Last week, WAND News reported the university was implementing a "Voluntary Separation Incentive Program."
It's not clear how much money the university is saving by cutting the 63 positions.
The VSIP document was dated for Sept. 1, with a timeline listing that notifications would be sent to eligible employees by Sept. 12, and those who agreed to the separation would have to respond by Oct. 3.
Eligible staff members were sent an offer to leave their position by Dec. 31, or Jan. 31, 2026, depending on their role. In exchange, the school would provide a one-time payment equal to 20 weeks of their current salary.
WAND News first obtained the email from an EIU employee. A EIU spokesman told WAND News that Tuesday's announcement and the VISP were the result of budget problems.
Gatrell's email said the decision to reduce staff were made in response to, "substantial and unforeseen revenue declines driven by external factors beyond the university's control."
Billy Hung, an associate professor of biology and EIU chapter president of University Professionals of Illinois Local 4100, previously told WAND News state funding was to blame.
"We know we are under budget issues because the state appropriated a 3% increase from last year's budget, but only released 1%," Hung said.
Gatrell's email said federal funding cuts for the Corporation of Public Broadcasting and the loss of several grants and contracts have impacted the budget. The CPB funding cuts led EIU to end its affiliation with PBS at its WEIU television station.
He said an unexpected decrease in international student enrollment also lead to a budget deficit. And some federal cuts included more than $1 million in annual indirect revenue.
Gatrell's email said the steps to eliminate positions is to safeguard EIU's future but also noted additional challenges expected in the years ahead.
EIU, located in Charleston, had a 2024 enrollment of 8,505 students, according to a university fact sheet.
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