Northern Kentucky University Announces Staff Cuts Amid Funding Challenges

Northern Kentucky University (NKU) is set to implement significant budget adjustments, including staff reductions, due to a combination of funding shortfalls and declining enrollment figures. In an email to staff and faculty on September 26, 2023, President Dr. Cady Short-Thompson outlined the necessity for these “difficult but strategic adjustments” to the university’s financial plan.

The adjustments will involve eliminating some vacant positions, reducing operating budgets, and making staffing reductions that will affect less than one percent of NKU’s workforce. With approximately 2,000 employees, this equates to around 20 positions impacted. The university confirmed that 18 filled positions have already been eliminated, although further details regarding specific roles and departments have not been disclosed.

These budget cuts are expected to have a ripple effect on departmental operations, potentially limiting spending on essential items such as supplies, travel, student events, and other non-essential services.

Reasons for Budget Cuts

President Short-Thompson cited several factors contributing to the financial strain, including lower-than-anticipated state performance funding and adverse changes in state delinquent collections practices. Additionally, there has been a slight decline in graduate and international enrollment this fall, which has compounded the university’s fiscal challenges.

In her communication, President Short-Thompson acknowledged the emotional difficulty of these decisions, stating that they were necessary to avoid returning to a deficit situation.

While the university is reducing staff, it is not implementing a complete hiring freeze. President Short-Thompson emphasized, “This is not a hiring freeze; we have several key vacant positions currently posted for application.” High-level roles, including the registrar, director of University Housing, and director of the School of Nursing, remain unfilled.

Both the vice president of student affairs and the dean of the College of Arts and Sciences were recently appointed, having previously remained vacant or filled by interim personnel for over a year.

As NKU navigates these financial adjustments, the administration aims to maintain stability and continue providing quality education to its students. The situation remains dynamic, and further developments are expected.

The Northerner will continue to monitor this story as additional information becomes available.