Coronavirus: St. Edward's University Lays Off 10 Percent Of Staff

AUSTIN, TX — St. Edward's University announced plans to lay off 10 percent of its emploment base as the school experiences steep declines in student enrollment due to the new coronavirus illness outbreak, officials said this week.

Founded in 1885, the university has experienced myriad challenges at it copes with the illness outbreak. On its website, the university outlined plans to readjust amid challenges — measures that include the layoffs.

"This week, in proactive actions to ensure a Fiscal Year 2021 balanced budget, St. Edward’s University announced a plan that redeploys the university’s resources to ensure its continued financial strength and long-term sustainability," university officials wrote. "The plan also continues the extraordinary educational experience provided for students since the university’s founding in 1885."

Central to that plan, officials added, is a restructing informed by a need to create a safe campus for the fall 2020 semester adherent to physical distancing standards: "Discontinued programs and an approximately 10 percent reduction of employee positions, proportional to the projected 12 percent enrollment revenue decline due to COVID-19, were also included," officials wrote.

Despite the coronavirus-induced challenges, university President George E. Martin vowed the university "willl persevere and adapt" amid its struggles:

“Our organizational restructuring impacted every area of the university. The streamlining and efficiencies introduced in the plan actually enable us to provide students with an even higher quality experience than before. Most important, the plan avoids a budget deficit in Fiscal Year 2021, a risk that would jeopardize the future of the university. I am confident our plan will lead St. Edward’s to better days ahead."

Changes spurred by the illness outbreak are occurring across the board, officials explained. Among them:

Academic programs

Consolidation of five academic schools into four with programs transitioning between schools. Kinesiology, for example, moves to the School of Natural Sciences from the School of Human Development and Education.

• The Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies for EC-6 elementary education teacher preparation will no longer accept new students. Current students will continue their studies and finish their degree.
• To align faculty positions with academic programs, some non-tenure track, visiting faculty appointments and academic contracts were not continued.

Student Affairs

• The discontinuation of five NCAA athletic programs and the transition of Cheer to a club sport was announced in April.
• Housing occupancy will be reduced in order to provide a safe, socially-distanced residential experience for our students, resulting in fewer live-in professional staff.

• Health services will be provided via a new partnership with Baylor Scott & White designed to provide students access to a broader range of medical services.

The Munday Library

• The Munday Library will transition to a Learning Commons model, which prioritizes digital collections and provides 24-hour card access for study, research and student academic services.
• The new Learning Commons is expected to include the Writing Center, Digital Media Center, Student Success Center and Student Academic Support Services.

"These proactive restructuring efforts strengthen the university’s ability to absorb changes related to COVID-19 while continuing to provide a formative, holistic student experience and prioritize the health and safety of our students and employees with a strong commitment to the Holy Cross Mission," officials wrote.

On a related front, faculty and staff have been working remotely — available via email, telephone and online services. As a result, select campus buildings have been open. University officials noted instruction will continue online for the summer, and fall courses will take place on campus beginning on Aug. 24.