76 Layoffs at San Jose University

In an action deemed unprecedented, San Jose University in California has announced laying of 76 employees in addition to getting rid of 56 vacant positions.

“Today’s announcement is devastating,” said Pat Lopes Harris, SJSU Media Relations Director . “We’ve never announced so many layoffs at San Jose State and we’ve been here over 150 years. Our president told our employees this morning this is a real step backwards.”

The school estimated their budget gap to be approximately $18 million, is dealing with an impacted student body, and has been able only to stall these layoffs with furlough days.

“We estimate we’d be laying off double the number of people we’re laying off today if we didn’t provide time to retire, change jobs, etc.,” saidHarris.