MISSOULA — University of Montana’s president says the school will lay off 27 employees by July.
President Royce Engstrom said in a letter to colleagues Friday that 192 full-time positions in all will be reduced. Besides layoffs, the cuts will come by attrition, reducing adjunct positions and not renewing contracts.
Engstrom declined to provide details on the layoffs “out of respect for the privacy of the impacted individuals.”
The university is cutting costs after declining enrollment led to budget shortfalls.
The Missoulian reports the employee reductions will save the university $7.5 million. School officials have said at least $12 million in savings is needed for the 2017 budget.
News of the layoffs comes days after the state Board of Regents approved 2 percent pay raises for many university system coaches and administrators, including Engstrom.