UNC Asheville announces ‘limited’ layoffs amid $6 million budget shortfall

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (HERE NEWS) —

Just over two months since UNC Asheville announced it needed to take immediate action to address a $6 million deficit for the school’s current budget, the chancellor told the campus a “limited number of employees” had been let go.

Chancellor’s Announcement

In a letter to the university, shared with HERE NEWS by UNCA’s Communication and Marketing department, Chancellor Kimberly van Noort said 12 active staff positions in Student Affairs, Academic Affairs, and the Office of the Chancellor were “identified” for “discontinuation.”

Budget Deficit

“I’m deeply disappointed that a reduction in force was necessary to help the University address a projected budget deficit in the next fiscal year, which begins July 1,” the chancellor wrote in her April 11 letter to university members. “We didn’t want to part with any of our valued colleagues, and we pursued every avenue to reduce the number affected in this difficult period.”

Financial Challenges

The announcement comes after UNCA said it was facing a $6 million deficit for the current fiscal year, which ends June 30, 2024. The university said it risked adding $8 million to its deficit if the budget was not balanced for the 2025 fiscal year.

Immediate Measures

The chancellor told faculty and staff during a meeting on Feb. 6 that the university would be taking “immediate expense control measures.” At the time, the university’s statement did not specify what those exact measures would consist of, but noted that Budget & Finance would be “exploring tapping into any existing resources outside of our State funds, limited though they may be.”

Chancellor’s Full Letter

You can read the chancellor’s full letter from April 11, 2024 above.