Texas Southern University announced it will lay off dozens of workers to streamline operating costs at the nation’s second largest historically Black university.
The University will eliminate 111 staff positions, as well as 67 faculty -- all visiting professors.
TSU will also continue its spending and hiring freeze, which has been in effect since June, 2006.
However, prior commitments to hiring tenure track faculty will not be affected.
“Our actions today represent our desire to continue to provide a high quality education to our nearly eleven thousand students,” said acting President Bobby Wilson. “All public institutions are being forced to look at how they conduct business. TSU is no exception. We recognize the reality of budget shortfalls and are taking the appropriate actions to restructure and become more fiscally responsible.”
The University faces estimated budget shortfalls of $4.8 million for fiscal year 2006 and anticipates estimated shortfalls of nearly $13.7 million for 2007.
The shortfalls are due to increased costs to operate the university and declining enrollment for the first time in over 6 years.
