ATHENS, W.Va. — The Concord University Board of Governors on Wednesday approved reducing the university’s workforce by less than 10% — around 30 workers — as the university is going through a difficult financial period.
The university cited declining enrollment, insufficient revenue numbers, unavailable funding and costs related to the coronavirus pandemic as reasons behind the decision.
Institution president Kendra Boggess told MetroNews the reduction will not be through solely terminating employees; she estimated around half of the reduction will be through attrition.
“As every year, we have people that decide they’re not going to come back,” she said.
“We’re looking to make sure that Concord is going to be here, it’s going to be successful and it’s going to be able to serve our students. That’s our goal, that’s always been our goal, and it’s our mission.”
Boggess noted the difficulties in laying off people amid the coronavirus pandemic.
“It’s not something you ever want to do, but it’s something we have to do because our responsibility is to the state and to our region and to our students first,” she said. “We’re going to make sure that all students are well taken care of. To me, that’s the most important part of all of this.”
Boggess said the cuts will come from programs “that have not been as particularly strong” as others.