BELLINGHAM, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – Western Washington University has announced more layoffs in light of its budget deficit that’s ballooned to over $20 million.
President Sabah Randhawa said on Tuesday that the school is eliminating the administrative division of its student affairs office, along with various other admin positions.
University spokesperson John Thompson confirmed to My Bellingham Now that 20 positions will be eliminated in total, four of which that are currently vacant.
My Bellingham Now previously reported that the university eliminated 74 other staff positions to address what Randhawa says has grown to a $23 million budget deficit following the state’s legislative session.
Randhawa says other reductions the school has already planned should shrink the deficit by $13 million after they go into effect.
To deal with the remaining $10 million shortfall, he says the school will be making several changes to its academic programs on the Kitsap and Olympic Peninsulas and in Everett. Academic departments at the main campus are also being asked to cut $5 million by the end of next year through changes to program structures, class offerings and support services.
Randhawa says the moves, while difficult, will make the university sustainable in the long term while preserving key student services and academic quality.
