SAULT STE. MARIE, MI-- Lake Superior State University has cut five positions from its employee roster.
Officials say the June 8th action is the result of a $2 million structural deficit and trying to make the
university more efficient. LSSU President Tom Pleger gave an in-depth update to campus at an all-employee meeting May 12th. Employees had two weeks to share ideas with university leadership before decisions were finalized.
The reductions affected both union and non-union positions.
“Our goal is to make staffing adjustments in a way that allows us to achieve some savings, yet impact the fewest number of employees,” said Pleger. "It is unfortunate that at times like this difficult choices need to be made, but they are done with great care and deliberation."
LSSU employs about 470 staff, not including student labor. In the past year 28 full-time equivalent positions have been reduced. Philip Espinosa, LSSU’s associate vice-president for human resources, says those reductions were achieved through a combination of retirements, resignations, last year’s voluntary buy-out program, a leave of absence program this year, holding vacant positions, and a small number of separations.
