PEORIA, Ill. – Bradley University says enrollment isn’t as high as they’d like, and finances are suffering because of it, so it’s time to make some cuts.
The university and its president Stephen Standifird say in a news release there is a $13 million budget shortfall in the current fiscal year.
That’s about ten percent of the university’s operating budget.
Standifird says he’s calling for a series of operational cuts over the next several months, and, “swift action” which will result in academic restructuring.
Academic programs are undergoing what he calls “continuous review,” and there likely will be jobs cut as a result, but students should still be able to complete their degrees.
“We are at a unique time in the history of higher education. Universities must fundamentally rethink their operations and offerings to respond to the rapidly evolving needs and interests of today’s students. This is precisely what we are doing at Bradley University,” said Standifird, in a news release.
It’s not clear what other cuts will be made, but Bradley fell under some criticism toward the beginning of the calendar year after it purchased the now-former Avanti’s restaurant building near Campustown, with plans then to turn it in to greenspace.
Ironically, the announcement came on the anniversary of the birth of the founder of the university, Lydia Moss Bradley.
