Marquette announces layoffs to trim costs

MILWAUKEE - Marquette University is eliminating 25 staff positions in a cost-cutting move, the university's interim president said Wednesday.

In a letter to faculty and staff, the Rev. Robert A. Wild said the cuts are part of an effort to create efficiencies so that a Marquette education will continue to be affordable.

"I am sad to share that 25 of our Marquette colleagues have been told or are in the process of being told that their employment with Marquette has ended," Wild said in the letter, emailed across campus. "The colleagues affected by this news are wonderful people who have contributed well to the university."

The cuts are Marquette's first workforce reduction since the mid-1990s. No faculty members are affected, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported.

The reductions, combined with future employee turnover, retirements and not filling some vacancies, are expected to reduce Marquette's employee base of 2,800 by about 105 positions, according to Wild's letter.

The university declined to reveal which department or departments are affected, citing confidentiality and respect for those involved.

Each person whose position is eliminated will receive a severance package that includes extended pay and benefits, and will be offered spiritual and career transition assistance, Wild said.

Since returning to campus as interim president in the fall, Wild has often discussed consolidating work and emphasizing operational efficiencies to reduce financial strain on students.

It will cost about $47,000 for an undergraduate to attend Marquette next year, including tuition, fees and room and board, although about 98 percent of students receive financial aid.