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University employees learn about possible furloughs and pay cuts

West Virginia University faculty and non-classified staff were notified by letter that they could be facing mandatory unpaid furloughs, or possible salary reductions in an effort to plug a $30 million budget shortfall brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a June 29 letter to WVU faculty, Provost Maryanne Reed said the university decided to amend this year’s Notice of Appointment letters “in case additional personnel measures become necessary in response to COVID-19.” 

“During the term of this appointment, the University reserves the right to temporarily adjust or reduce your salary or to require you to take unpaid furlough days,” Reed’s letter said. “The University shall only exercise these rights if budgetary conditions of the University require it. Further, you will be provided at least 30 days’ notice prior to the University exercising any of these rights. … The reality remains that we are still facing many budgetary uncertainties as we look toward  Fall 2020 and Spring 2021.” 

This year’s gap between the end of the fall semester and the beginning of the spring semester is Dec. 12 to Jan. 18, for a total of 37 days. By comparison, last year’s gap was 32 days.

This prompted some faculty to question if there were more furloughs, would they take place at that time? 

WVU’s Vice President for Strategic Initiatives Rob Alsop said Monday that no decision has been made on either salary reductions or furloughs. But, a decision could be made in early August when university officials have a firmer grasp on enrollment numbers, he said.

“We will engage with the deans and the Board of Governors and determine the right mix. We don’t have any pre-determined outcomes,” said Alsop, adding the university will do everything it can to avoid taking either action. 

In May, WVU announced it was temporarily furloughing 875 employees at Morgantown, as well as branch locations in Beckley and Keyser. The move saved the university $4 million, and all furloughed employees should be back on the job by  July 26.

WVU has also implemented travel restrictions, delayed or suspended capital improvement projects, plus top administrators have either taken salary cuts, or made financial donations.

WVU’s fall semester will begin Aug. 19. Plans call for classes to be delivered in a hybrid style, both on-line and in-person. Everyone on campus is required to wear a mask and social distancing will be practiced. 

Gov. Jim Justice made wearing a mask inside where social distancing is not possible mandatory as of July 7.

In mid-March, WVU closed its three campuses and switched to on-line learning as the COVID-19 virus first struck West Virginia. Since lockdown measures have eased, the number of cases statewide and in Monongalia County have climbed 62% in less than a week.

The largest numbers of positives are seen in the 20- to 30-year age group, the Monongalia County Department of Health said. 

Nationwide, the number of COVID-19 cases have increased. This, in turn, has prompted some universities to change plans, such as the University of Southern California saying it will  no longer bring undergraduates back to campus for fall and will move to online classes. 

April Kaull, a WVU spokesperson, said Monday WVU has not altered its plans to bring back students to its campuses in August.

“The university and MCHD will continue to closely monitor the potential impacts of COVID-19 on the campus and greater Morgantown community and be prepared to institute additional precautions as necessary,” Kaull said.

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