Indiana State completes budget re-do, requires job cuts

Indiana State University says it has concluded a budget reorganization for fiscal year 2024, which resulted in a net loss of about ten positions of both faculty and staff. Last November, ISU President Deborah Curtis warned the university needed to cut $12 million from the 2023-24 budget, amid dwindling enrollment.

The new budget begins July 1.

The university previously said it had attempted to reduce expenses without layoffs, but ISU was unable to get the tightening budget in order. At one point, about 50 positions were facing the chopping block.

“Any losses are painful, of course,” said Curtis. But she says the university has received notice of 37 retirements taking place by June 30th, and another five by December 31st.

“These decisions to retire in many instances allowed us to keep more people employed at ISU.”

Curtis says ISU has reduced the number of deans, associate deans, directors and associate deans with many returning to faculty positions or other roles.

“Some of these administrative changes were able to take place due to retirements that opened up the opportunity to collapse some responsibilities into different roles,” said Curtis.

The university president says the school continues to drive strategies that are positively impacting enrollment recovery such as the Indiana State Advantage, which includes a tuition-free guarantee and housing support for certain students.

“Universities that are attacking the declining enrollment challenges realize that recruitment and yield are everyone’s responsibility,” Curtis said. “We are asking each of you to be ready to assist with yielding the admitted freshmen students for this fall and beyond.”

The university has adjusted curriculum in many programs, making more available online. Curtis says the changes allow for flexibility for non-traditional students to take courses.

Meanwhile, the university continues to pursue the $100 million Be So BOLD fundraising campaign goal, designed to bring resources to support student success, faculty support, experiential learning.

“And now is the time to accelerate these important advances in our work that are positioning Indiana State University to be a preferred destination for students to learn and grow,” Curtis said. “Your participation in navigating this expanded future is critical for us to deliver on our main mission: to educate and graduate students who serve this great state and nation.”