Wright State interim president: ‘Our financial picture is grim’

Wright State University’s interim president appears to be trying to calm nerves after the school announced layoffs and budget cuts last week.

Curtis McCray, in an email this morning, told students, staff and faculty that budget cuts “will be challenging” but that WSU will be more sustainable and able to grow because of them.

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WSU announced last week it would likely lay off around 71 employees and eliminate close to 107 empty positions.

“I know last Friday was a difficult day for many on our campus. Our financial picture is grim,” McCray wrote in the email. “I know the prospect of our looming job cuts is stressful. Operational changes, spending decisions, and enrollment are among your concerns.”

Officials are still finalizing that proposal which is part of the fiscal year 2018 budget. The board of trustees could vote on the proposal on June 8 and layoff notices are expected to be distributed beginning the week of June 12.

McCray also tried to quell fears on Friday about how budget changes would affect certain academic offerings. The school announced it would only eliminate Russian, Italian and Japanese language courses last week.

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“I also know students are concerned about their academic programs and whether the budget will interfere with plans to graduate on schedule,” McCray wrote. “Although the university will stop offering three languages, we currently have no plans to eliminate majors or degree programs.”

The WSU board is accepting comments and concerns on the budget proposal from the university community until June 5. Comments can be sent to commentonbudget@wright.edu.

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