UC Berkeley To Slash 500 Jobs

BERKELEY, CA - UC Berkeley will balance its budget by slashing 500 jobs over the next two years, the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

According to the report, Chancellor Nick Dirks informed employees on Monday about the 6 percent reduction in staff. While Dirks did not mention layoffs in a memo to employees, some have already been warned by their superiors about downsizing.

The move follows a damning report by the state auditor, which found the University of California lowered standards for out-of-state students in order to collect higher tuition from those students.

• Related: UC Lowered Standards for Out-of-State Students, Audit Finds
• SEE MORE UC BERKELEY COVERAGE HERE

The report also accused the university system of turning a blind eye toward cost reduction opportunities.

Eliminating the 500 staff positions will save an estimated $50 million,according to Dirk's memo.

READ THE FULL SF CHRONICLE STORY HERE

--Image by Gku via WikiMedia Commons