FVSU Confirms Layoffs, Budget Cuts

FORT VALLEY, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – The Georgia Board of Regents approved Fort Valley State University’s plan to layoff 28 employees and make $3.8 million in cuts.

The school is facing up to a $5.2 million budget shortfall as a result of declining enrollment and cut backs in state funding.

On Friday, the terminated employees received a letter stating the termination was effective immediately and was the result of the school’s current financial issues. Faculty was not affected by Friday’s cuts but depending on spring enrollment; there may be more layoffs in the future.

“We don’t have really a reasonable estimate in terms of the exact number of employees that will be impacted,” said Fort Valley State University Associate Vice President of Business and Finance Kevin Howard, “but that’s something that we’re working through really on a daily basis.”

The plan submitted to the Board included closing vacant positions and making cuts across all departments. The cuts by percentage include: 8.4% from Academic Affairs; 10.99% from Business and Finance; 7.78% from Student Affairs; 30.09% from External Affairs and 9.96% from the President’s Office.

Howard said the 28 layoffs were the only ones included in this plan, but depending on spring enrollment numbers there maybe a second phase which could include up to $1.4 million in cuts and more layoffs.