University eliminates 70 employees in order to address $25 million deficit

On Oct. 23, the University of Louisiana at Lafayette’s Interim President, Dr. Jaimie Hebert, announced in an email to faculty and staff that 70 employees across all divisions will be impacted by position eliminations, retirements, resignations and reassignments. In a follow-up email to faculty and staff the next day, Hebert explained that of the 70 positions impacted, 51 positions were eliminated. 

Of the 51 eliminations, 28 were unclassified employees and 23 were classified employees, who are subject to the provisions of the Civil Service Rules. According to the email, the remaining 19 of the 70 eliminations were retirements, resignations and reassignments. The 70 eliminations do not include the six from last month. 

“These decisions were made after careful evaluation of University priorities and operational needs. I recognize how difficult this moment is for our campus… Our focus remains on creating a sustainable path forward that protects our academic mission and positions the University for long-term stability. We will continue to make decisions thoughtfully, communicate transparently and support one another as we move ahead,” Hebert said in the email. 

These eliminations were all in an effort to address the $25 million structural deficit the University is currently facing. Dr. Edwin Litolff, the chief financial officer for the University, explained the financial effect of the eliminations will not be known for a couple months. 

“It wasn’t cutting 30 people out of the department. It was more targeted and strategic looking at areas that we can adjust or change without impacting or having major impacts into the department… so that’s why I think it’s very hard to say, what’s the exact number.” 

According to the Current, 554 positions were added from 2015 until March 2025, causing payroll to increase by $40 million. As the amount of positions increased, UL Lafayette’s enrollment decreased by 1,700 students since 2015. “But when you look at a $25 million annual hole, 75% of the University’s salaries, right? So we’ve got to adjust the salaries to be able to get to that,” Litolff said. 

The University is mostly funded by student tuition and fees. Student enrollment has increased this fall with the largest freshman class to date. The school welcomed 3,214 first-time freshmen and had 16,100 degree-seeking students overall. The overall enrollment was 19,723 people, which was a 2.65% increase from Fall 2024. 

Since enrollment is such an important part of the operating budget, there is concern that the University will not be able to retain the high enrollment it gained. Litolff explained if enrollment did decline they would adjust as needed. He continued, “The best thing is our enrollment has been up for three years, so as long as that trend continues or is even close, we’re going to be okay.” 

The University has other ways it it addressing the deficit as well. One of the first big moves to address the deficit was to reduce budgets across all departments by 10%. 

Along with the budget cuts, the University has limited staff traveling and special meals. According to Litolff, this will save $14 million. 

They will terminate leases to buses that are not being used for daily operations, which will save $109,000. In September, Hebert announced they will be ending the contract with the Wingate by Wyndham Hotel, which provided overflow housing for students, ahead of the Spring 2026 semester. 

Litolff said ending the contract will save $900,000. He also stated that the University is looking into increasing commuter parking passes on campus in Girard Park Circle Parking Garage. 

Regardless of the method, a key takeaway is the University will not immediately know exactly where it stands with the $25 million deficit for a couple months. 

For now, Litolff expressed that the University is focused on identifying what they can do to address the deficit and making changes as needed. 

“And so as all these initiatives go into effect, we’re gonna see the cash flow improve. So as the cash flow analysis continues, then we have to adjust and make changes as we go. So at this point, we’re looking at it saying, right, we’ve got to assess what will this adjustment do to the end to make sure that we can get to the end of the fiscal year.”