Eastern Illinois University will eliminate 17 staff positions and will not bring back 23 annually contracted instructors and four academic support professionals, its president announced Tuesday.
Additionally, 19 vacant or soon-to-be vacant positions will not be replaced, President Jay Gatrell said in email to university employees.
Gatrell said contract provisions for annually contracted faculty and ASPs, civil service rules and program need, like staff specialization, were among the factors in deciding who would not be brought back.
The decision made on Tuesday’s layoffs and nonrenewals stems from revenue declines from external factors, which Gatrell said includes the loss of more than $1 million in federal funding.
Last month, the Board of Trustees approved a 2026 fiscal year budget that included a $1.9 million deficit.
Gatrell said the single most significant factor contributing to the revenue declines is the decline in international student enrollment.
As a result of these layoffs and nonrenewals announced Tuesday, Gatrell said $2 million will be saved.
This $2 million does not include savings from WEIU’s funding changes, which stem from the elimination of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and Eastern’s annual grant of roughly $800,000, according to Gatrell.
While an email to all campus employees was sent out at 10 a.m. notifying the campus of the changes, a more specific email was sent to those affected earlier than 10 a.m. asking for an in-person meeting with their supervisor or human resources to be held, Gatrell said.
“We are a small campus and sharing this important information with the entire community as soon as reasonably possible was a priority,” said Gatrell.
Greenhouse manager Sharon Dubosky received a notice this morning.
Dubosky is currently on a two-year contract, but she was told today that her contract will be restructured to a part-time job.
She said she was aware of the changes ahead of time as they were on her radar since September when Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Barbara Bonnekessen sent an email asking the chair of the department of biological sciences for information related to people’s job information.
“It is what it is,” Dubosky said. “I’m not surprised, but I’m shocked it came so soon.”
With Dubosky’s contract being restructured, she remains uncertain if she will stay at Eastern or not as she doesn’t want to leave if the position won’t be replaced.
Today’s layoffs also resulted in faculty senate’s meeting agenda being suspended in favor of a presentation from UPI President Billy Hung.
Through the emotion of the situation, Hung said he wasn’t comfortable sharing any details as they are still being worked on.
“It’s a tough day,” said Hung before being comforted by English professor and Director of Women’s Gender and Sexuality Studies Jeannie Ludlow.
Hung then announced an emergency UPI meeting to discuss the changes set for 5 p.m. Wednesday in Booth Library’s Witters Conference Room.
The layoffs also come just a few weeks after the Voluntary Separation Incentive Program was introduced at Eastern, which saw 21 intent forms submitted from eligible employees, according to Gatrell.
Employees were notified of that program on Sept. 12, and anyone interested in participating had to notify human resources by Oct. 3.
Through the program, eligible faculty and staff will receive a one-time payment worth 20 weeks of their base annual salary, so long as eligible faculty separate from Eastern on Dec. 31, and academic support professionals and administrative and professional staff separate on Jan. 31, 2026.
However, the total number of participants in the separation program could change as Gatrell said final participation was unknown with no specific figure estimated.
Gatrell also said the VSIP process was separate from today’s layoffs.
Luke Brewer can be reached at 581-2812 or at lsbrewer@eiu.edu.
