GREEN BAY (NBC 26) -- The University of Wisconsin-Green Bay announced Friday they are placing 227 staff members on furlough from May 2 through May 31.
According to the university, administrations with an annual salary above $100,000 will be taking a voluntary furlough.
"It is terribly unfortunate that the COVID-19 pandemic has forced our hand," said Interim Chancellor Sheryl Van Gruensven in a memorandum to UW-Green Bay faculty and staff announcing the decision. "Today, we must announce plans to enact furloughs at UW-Green Bay to protect the future of the institution. This disruption in our lives and our livelihood is one that is greatly disappointing, considering the amazing momentum we had heading into the 2020-21 academic year. Although our financial health is not in jeopardy at this particular time, the reality is, we lost $3 million in revenue in just the past month and we must navigate risk until we can find some level of normalcy. We must also position ourselves to maintain healthy cash balances in the event we experience additional losses in revenue and other funding sources."
Following Governor Tony Evers' Safer at Home extension, UW-Green Bay announced they will close campus through May 31. They say for the summer they are offering more than 200 classes online and have canceled on-campus summer camps.
Additionally, Green Bay Athletics announced they will be suspending men's and women's tennis teams indefinitely at the conclusion of the 2019-20 academic year. They say this decision does not impact Division I status nor membership in the Horizon League.
Because of travel restrictions, the uncertainty of International Education opportunities, and the immediate drastic decrease in international activity, the University also laid off four positions in the Office of International Education.
"We need to protect our institution by ensuring we have enough financial reserves to be able to react calmly and strategically to any adverse financial situation we face in the future. Failure to act now, could put our staff and our ability to deliver a quality education to our students in much greater danger in the Fall," said Chancellor Elect Michael Alexander. "This University has a history of overcoming challenges through creativity and toughness. It will be difficult, but we will get through these unprecedented and disruptive times, together."
UW-Green Bay expects to see about $250,000 in cost recovery with the furlough, in addition to the savings from International Education and Athletics.
Faculty and other nine-month employees were exempt from furloughs for this fiscal year. Campus leaders will present a "state of the University" at a virtual meeting with members of the campus community on May 1.
