18 employees laid off with 12 more to come - ALICIA SERRANO, Loyola Maroon

Loyola is down 18 staff members after the university enacted the first round of layoffs on Friday, Feb. 7. According to a university press release, the cuts were made in an effort to close the remaining budget deficit. The original $7.5 million deficit resulted from an enrollment shortfall for this academic year, but this number was brought down to $5.1 million with the implementation of a voluntary severance program. Employees were offered severance packages upon notification of employment termination, Wildes said in the press release. Details of these severance packages were not disclosed.The press release said the cuts represent less than two percent of the university employee base. In addition to these layoffs, 12 non-tenured faculty members’ contracts will not be renewed in April since the university has fewer students in common curriculum classes, the press release said. http://www.loyolamaroon.com/2.6710/18-employees-laid-off-with-12-more-to-come-1.2856070