MU budget proposal calls for eliminating more than 300 jobs

An MU budget proposal released late Friday night calls for the elimination of more than 300 jobs in order to make up for nearly $60 million in cuts for fiscal year 2018.

Interim Chancellor Garnett Stokes submitted the University of Missouri’s short-term and long-term budget plans to President Choi Friday.

“The proposed plan will unquestionably impact our workforce, facilities and the breadth of services we provide,” wrote Stokes in the letter written to UM System President Dr. Mun Choi. “Leaders were tasked with balancing between making decisions on investing in the most transformational opportunities for MU’s future and meeting budget reductions. Needless to say, these were difficult decisions.”

The short-term strategy cuts include the elimination of 181 occupied positions. That includes 32 retirees, 38 contract non-renewals, 84 layoffs and 16 voluntary separations. About 147 vacant positions will also not be filled.

Last week, Stokes pointed to the possibility of relocating the Truman School of Public Affairs to the administration of the College of Arts and Science after the search for a dean was suspended last month. This proposed budget confirms that.

Stokes also wrote the proposed long-term budget plans will showcase the school delivering on its promise to provide Missourians with “exceptional higher education, life-changing research, progressive economic development, and extraordinary service.”

Long-term, a review process will target areas like academic programs, graduate student tuition waivers, research centers and institutes, and ways to incentive and reward research.

Strategic investments would also be made to graduate student stipends and healthcare, recruitment and retention of students and a diverse faculty, and campus safety, among other items.

The University of Missouri Board of Curators Executive Committee is set to meet Monday at 1 p.m.