Union University confirms layoffs
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JACKSON, Tenn.– Union University laid off five employees Wednesday, officials with the school confirmed. The eliminated jobs were not professor positions but were a variety of administrative staff positions from across the campus, according to officials. Tim Ellsworth, associate vice president for university communications, said the school’s budget is tied to tuition and that enrollment is down. Some residents said that gives them reason to worry. “I’m concerned about anybody that would get laid off right before Christmas and I’m concerned that the enrollment is down,” Mitzi Sherrill said. Freshman Chandler Bell said he was not concerned about cuts, but is sad to hear about the decline in students. “Enrollment being down is a sad thing because as a freshman coming in. I just see Union as a really great place to study, to learn, Bell said. According to Ellsworth, the total enrollment for the fall semester last year was 4,288. For this fall, the total is 4,018, a decrease of 270 students. He said the cuts are a result of the school “trying to live within our means.” Ellsworth said the layoffs affected less than 1 percent of the university’s workforce. Students told WBBJ 7 Eyewitness News they trust their school is making the right decisions. “There is a business aspect of it and while it’s tough unfortunately sometimes decisions like that have to be made,” freshman Jacob Mathis said. “They’re really good at budgeting and being good stewards of money so I think the administration here has it in good hands,” Bell said. Ellsworth said the budgeting process leading to the cuts had been ongoing for weeks and the administration felt this was the right time. Jackson resident Mitzi Sherrill said she has friends who work at Union and hopes jobs are not being lost at the expense of new construction. “The money could be used for keeping employees rather than building new buildings,” Sherrill said. Officials said all five laid off employees were offered severance packages, however details were not released.
