Nine employees in the Office of Student Affairs were told Thursday that they will be laid off as a result of departmental budget cuts totaling $655,000.
The layoffs came one week after Ohio University President Roderick McDavis announced some OU employees would be laid off, while others offered voluntary retirement in order to close the budget deficit.
We're on of the first divisions to announce layoffs
said Kent Smith, vice president of Student Affairs. I made a commitment to our division to meet face-to-face with every employee affected by these cuts.
Student Affairs will eliminate 13 total positions - nine through layoffs and another four by not filling positions that are currently vacant. A tenth layoff was prevented by employee participation in the early retirement program. As of Friday, three employees in Student Affairs have taken early retirement. Before layoffs, Student Affairs employed 128 total people.
Smith did not provide the names of employees laid off. The Post has filed a public records request for those names.
In an e-mail sent to all OU employees yesterday, Luis Lewin, OU's chief human resource officer, outlined the benefits plan offered to those employees who will be laid off.
Ohio University plans to offer an unprecedented economic package
services and resources to employees who lose their jobs Lewin stated.
Laid off employees will received one to three months of severance pay determined by how long they've worked for OU, a continuation of health, dental and life insurance coverage through the end of the year and a free one-year membership to WellWorks.
Human Resources will also provide outplacement assistance and counseling to all laid off employees.
Of the nine positions eliminated, five were contract administrative positions, while the remaining four were classified staff positions.
In a departmental meeting this morning, Smith unveiled his department's consolidated organizational structure.
We're putting like functions together
Smith said, adding the consolidating process began with the merger of Residence Life and Housing earlier this year.
Student Affairs will reduce the administrative hierarchy, going from two associate vice presidents to one, and having no assistant vice presidents.
Smith said the consolidations will ultimately improve department efficiency and enhance our ability to serve students.
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Wesley Lowery
