MU Operations department details cutbacks, including 50 jobs

The MU Operations department announced Tuesday it would eliminate 53.5 positions due to expected budget cuts in fiscal year 2017.

In a memo to MU faculty and staff, Vice Chancellor for Operations Gary Ward said the budget cuts will likely amount to $5.47 million. Ward said those cuts, however, should not affect Mizzou’s academic mission.

The changes to the department include eliminating 53.5 positions through attrition and layoffs, offering fewer student positions, and reducing partnerships in which MU Operations would share project costs with other campus departments.

MU spokesperson Christian Basi said that one of the reasons for the cuts is the decrease in enrollment which accounts for about 20 million dollars of a projected 32 million dollar budget shortfall.

Other departmental changes include:

Custodial staff won’t clean offices or remove trash from offices anymore; instead, MU employees will be responsible for carrying their trash and recyclables to receptacles in their buildings Mail services will deliver mail once daily Response times for maintenance and repair orders will likely increase due to staffing reductions Expectations for campus landscaping appearance will be lowered The DigiPrint Center at the MU Student Center will close; the Ellis Library center will accommodate all on-campus printing needs Summer paving and maintenance projects will be reduced Trash pick up after University football games will be held offuntil Mondays.

In his memo to faculty and staff, Ward said the following: “We are grateful to serve the University of Missouri and have made no easy decisions. We will continue to streamline functions and share services throughout our division.”