By Andrew Cluley
Ypsilanti, MI – Eastern Michigan University has plugged a five-million dollar shortfall in this year's budget, largely through one-time cost savings, but up to nine employees will be losing their jobs as well.
The budget shortfall was caused by enrollment declines and what officials describe as some unexpected costs.
Business and Finance Vice-President John Beaghan says total of 28 jobs were eliminated, but 15 of those were vacant, and many of the employees whose jobs were eliminated were able to fill other job openings on campus.
Interim President Craig Willis says the university did everything it could to cut spending before eliminating jobs, but a tuition cap and limited state funding made the job reductions inevitable.