NEW ORLEANS — The University of New Orleans now has to cut the school's budget and slash the Athletics Department by the Spring semester, according to Nola.com. This is because UNO is facing a $15M deficit caused by years of declining enrollment.
Only 6,600 students enrolled last fall which is a huge decrease compared to its peak in 2003 when it had roughly 17,000 students.
The university was relying on cash reserves and federal pandemic aid but the pandemic funds have now dried up, our partners reported.
70 positions will be eliminated and the school is decommissioning Milneburg Hall, which houses departments like Sociology, Anthropology, Political Science, and more.
UNO spokesperson Adam Norris says the departments that have a presence in Milneburg will be relocated to better space elsewhere on campus.
Many faculty and staff are concerned more layoffs are coming in the future.
Members of United Campus Workers Southeast at UNO, which represents faculty and staff submitted a petition to the administration urging officials to switch to a four-day work week to save facility costs among other suggestions. However, Norris says President Kathy Johnson has not received any petition.
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