The University of Wisconsin-Green Bay is putting 227 employees on furlough as a result of the coronavirus outbreak. The school says it lost three-million dollars in revenue in the last month.
The furloughs start May 2nd and will run through May 31st. Administrators who make more than 100-thousand dollars a year are taking a voluntary furlough. Interim UW-Green Bay Chancellor Sheryl Van Gruensven said, “it is terribly unfortunate that the COVID-19 pandemic has forced our hand.”
Furloughs allow members of the campus community to retain their benefits, yet still be eligible for unemployment compensation.
In addition to furloughs of some of its staff members, Green Bay Athletics announced that it will be suspending its men’s and women’s tennis teams indefinitely at the conclusion of the 2019-20 academic year. Based on past expenditures the suspension of these two programs will result in a savings of approximately $170,000 operationally per year and $160,000 in athletic tuition scholarships awarded per year. This decision does not impact Division I status nor membership in the Horizon League.
Because of travel restrictions, the uncertainty of International Education opportunities, and the immediate drastic decrease in international activity, the University also laid off four positions in the Office of International Education.
“We need to protect our institution by ensuring we have enough financial reserves to be able to react calmly and strategically to any adverse financial situation we face in the future. Failure to act now, could put our staff and our ability to deliver a quality education to our students in much greater danger in the Fall,” said Chancellor Elect Michael Alexander. “This University has a history of overcoming challenges through creativity and toughness. It will be difficult, but we will get through these unprecedented and disruptive times, together.”
UW-Green Bay expects to see about $250,000 in cost recovery with the furlough, in addition to the savings from International Education and Athletics. Faculty and other nine-month employees were exempt from furloughs for this fiscal year. Campus leaders will present a “state of the University” at a virtual meeting with members of the campus community on May 1, 2020.
