Henderson announces furloughs of workers

LITTLE ROCK — About 200 Henderson State University employees will be furloughed Thursday and Friday this week, and the university’s request for additional money to avoid further furloughs will be reconsidered next week.

The university’s request for $825,000 to avoid furloughs was rejected last week by lawmakers overseeing the state’s rainy-day funds.

Without the assistance, leaders were looking at 18 days of furloughs — three days each week for the last six weeks of the fiscal year — for its 205 eligible 12-month contract employees.

The university, which expected to break only about $20,000 above even before losing hundreds of thousands in state appropriations and other revenue because of the covid-19 pandemic and its effects, has insufficient reserves to cover losses.

Acting President Elaine Kneebone announced Tuesday night that employees need only furlough Thursday and Friday, before the Arkansas Legislative Council reconsiders the request.

Affected employees can begin applying for unemployment benefits Thursday.

Kneebone said Gov. Asa Hutchinson, who supported the university’s initial request for $825,000, continues to support the request. Kneebone expressed sorrow about this week’s furloughs.

“Please know that I am deeply saddened that our university must take this step,” she wrote. “Thank you for your continued dedication to moving Henderson forward despite all of our challenges and difficulties. I truly appreciate your efforts and sacrifices.”