Ohio University announces more layoffs amid pandemic and budget crisis

Ohio University will eliminate 81 university positions because of the budget crisis and financial challenges brought on by the novel coronavirus pandemic, according to a Tuesday press release.

Ohio U expects to rehire 23 of the positions as a result of divisional reorganizations in the College of Arts and Sciences. 

The Ohio U Board of Trustees approved civil service reform measures at their June 19 meeting, which allowed for the eliminations of classified employee positions, Ohio U spokesperson Carly Leatherwood wrote in an email.

The announcement comes weeks after Ohio U laid off 140 union employees, according to a previous report from The Athens NEWS.

According to the press release, Ohio U will additionally implement “a mandatory post-pandemic furlough for non-bargaining unit faculty and staff.”

The personnel laid off include classified employees, administrators and an hourly-paid researcher.

The Ohio University budget book defines classified positions as civil service employees represented by a union and hourly-wage employees, such as janitorial, maintenance and police positions.

The affected classified employees received a 14-day notice and will also receive severance benefits based on years of service at Ohio U. These employees were the only group not affected by the previous reduction decisions Ohio U made, according to the press release.

Affected administrative employees received a 90-day notice and will be given severance benefits.

Amid layoffs, Ohio U has implemented additional benefits for those affected. 

Ohio U has expanded educational benefits so that those affected by the layoffs will receive one year of tuition waivers following the end of their employment. Dependents of those employees will also receive the educational benefits for their admitted programs, as stated in the press release.

Personalized employment transition services will also be available for those who were terminated. The services aim to strengthen resumes, to develop career plans and to connect with recruiters.

“This is a painful time for our entire community, especially those whose jobs have been affected. We are truly sorry for the personal and professional impact on each of these individuals,” Ohio U President Duane Nellis stated in the release.