University of Missouri to reduce salaries, cut jobs

COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) - The University of Missouri System is set to cut several administrative positions and reduce some salaries in an effort to offset a $3.8 million reduction in state funding.
The Columbia Missourian reports the UM Board of Curators voted unanimously Thursday to approve the system's budget for fiscal year 2017. The budget includes a recurring payroll cut of $2 million and a one-time payroll cut of $1 million.
The system plans to implement a hiring freeze for some vacant positions. Raises will not be given to employees based on past performances for fiscal year 2017.
The cuts to administrative positions will include jobs in Finance, Information Systems, Human Resources, University Relations, General Counsel and Academic Affairs.
Vice President for Finance Brian Burnett said the system will do its best to serve all four university campuses "with a smaller workforce."
Burnett said revenue for the upcoming year is steady and totaled about $3.1 billion.
At the curators meeting, university Chancellor Hank Foley also addressed an expected decrease in enrollment. He estimated enrollment will drop by 2,630 in fall 2016. Of the expected drop, almost 500 are students who are not returning to MU.
The anticipated decrease in enrollment has led to a $31.4 million budget gap.