Western Illinois University cutting 92 faculty, 32 staff positions; 100 vacant positions eliminated from future budgets

MACOMB, Ill. — Western Illinois University officials announced late Friday that 57 faculty and 32 staff positions will be eliminated, and 35 other faculty contracts were not renewed effective July 1.

“The decision comes after extensive exploration of a variety of cost-saving measures and reflects WIU’s commitment to a financially sustainable future,” a press release from the university’s communications office said. “With a focus on maintaining high-quality academic programs, excellent services and engaging on-campus experiences, the university has made every effort to minimize the impact on students.”

Attempts to speak with someone in the university’s communications department were unsuccessful Friday afternoon.

Other measures taken were: 

• Hiring suspension and spending freeze implemented June 3 
• More than 100 vacant positions eliminated from future budgets, including two vice president positions
• Department consolidation and restructuring to improve operational efficiencies
• Departmental operating budgets reductions
• Discontinuation of non-essential contractual agreements
• Increased efficiency through continued reductions in building operations
• Strategic reduction and realignment of student aid

WIU will continue to serve students on the Quad Cities campus, but building operations will be streamlined. As the university implements the Quad Cities Strategic Initiatives Plan, adjustments will be made to program offerings. As a result, 16 faculty and staff positions will be relocated to the Macomb campus next year.

The Quad Cities campus will continue to offer select undergraduate and graduate programs on campus, and students will have access to several online programs. Students will have access to student services, activities and amenities, and the campus will continue to house the Small Business Development Center, WQPT and other university partners. 

“To address financial stability, we must recognize that our institution, like so many others across the country, must be the right size and the right shape to serve this number of students,” WIU Interim President Kristi Mindrup said in a press release. “I want to acknowledge the gravity of these decisions and the profound impact they will have on our dedicated faculty and staff, and the impact personnel reductions have on our Macomb and Quad Cities communities.”

Forty Unit A faculty positions and 17 Unit B faculty positions were eliminated, while 35 Unit B faculty contracts were not renewed effective July 1. Unit B employees aren’t tenured and aren’t eligible for tenure. Their contracts are renewed on an annual basis.

Following Board of Trustee regulations and contractual agreements, Unit A faculty will have the academic year to continue to teach. Unit B faculty will remain on contract through the fall semester. Civil service employees were provided 90 days’ notice. Board of Trustee regulations and contractual agreements were followed in the notice given to academic support professional and administrative employees.

“Each person affected by these changes has contributed positively to Western Illinois University’s mission. Each individual takes great care in their work to educate and serve students and is woven into the fabric of our university. It is heartbreaking to come to this point in our institution’s path where we are at a crossroads with no choice but to make a significant financial shift for the ultimate sustainability of the institution,” Mindrup said.

WIU Human Resources will offer support to all affected employees, including counseling services, a job fair in the Fall semester, and four Rapid Response sessions over two campuses, where the Illinois Department of Employment Security and the State Universities Retirement System (SURS) will be in attendance to give presentations.