LAKELAND TO REDUCE STAFF

College makes changes in wake of loss of state funding

Like many colleges and universities across the nation, Lakeland Community College has been impacted financially by a significant decline in revenues due to the novel coronavirus.

Prior to the pandemic, Lakeland was experiencing a shortfall in tuition revenue due to historically low unemployment for the academic year ending June 30, 2020, school officials confirmed.

Now, Lakeland is facing additional financial challenges brought on by cuts in state funding and a significant decline in revenues due to COVID-19.

According to a news release, Lakeland will lose $781,000 in state funding between now and the end of June, and anticipates a $3.1 million to $4.1 million cut in state funding for fiscal year 2021.

Enrollment projections for summer and fall semesters are uncertain, as current and prospective students face

“These are unprecedented times, which unfortunately require difficult decisions to ensure we continue to meet our mission of helping area students reach their educational goals.” — Lakeland President Morris W. Beverage Jr.

financial, family, health and technology challenges.

As a result of the financial impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the college during the last few months and into the future, Lakeland has announced reductions in force effective May 15.

The affected full- and part-time non-instructional personnel are from a range of departments and have served in a variety of roles, the release stated.

Thirty-seven employees were permanently laid off, 51 were furloughed and 25 have a permanent reduction in hours.

Other cost-savings measures that will continue include: • A hiring freeze with rare exceptions for continuity of operations or revenue generation

• Reductions in nonessential operating costs

• Suspension of collegesponsored travel

According to the college, the actions are being taken “to assure the continued financial strength” of the institution.

“These are unprecedented times, which unfortunately require difficult decisions to ensure we continue to meet our mission of helping area students reach their educational goals,” said Lakeland President Morris W. Beverage Jr.

“Our students demonstrate their resilience every day, and so will Lakeland overcome these challenges.”

CHAD FELTON — THE NEWS-HERALD Lakeland Community College recently announced a wave of budget cuts to counterbalance the significant financial impact of the novel coronavirus.