Georgia Colleges, Universities Project Cutting 1,900 Jobs

ATLANTA, GA — Georgia's public colleges and universities will have to cut more than 1,900 jobs statewide to make up for lost tax revenue because of the coronavirus pandemic, with more than 40 percent of those cuts in the Atlanta area alone.

The University System of Georgia budget proposal for fiscal year 2021 shows 1,915 positions eliminated or left unfilled in response to a massive shortfall in Georgia tax revenue, according to a report published by The Red & Black, the University of Georgia's student newspaper.

The job cuts correspond with Gov. Brian Kemp's request that all state budgets be slashed by 14 percent. The 2021 fiscal year starts on July 1 of this year.

Georgia State University in Atlanta will be hit hardest, with 470 positions eliminated or not filled, according to The Red & Black. Georgia is next, with 394 positions lost, followed by Kennesaw State University with 202, Georgia Tech in Atlanta with 109, Georgia Southern University in Statesboro with 83, and Augusta University with 70.

Job losses at other schools include:

• University of West Georgia, Carrollton — 61
• Columbus State University — 48
• Georgia Gwinnett College, Lawrenceville — 47
• Albany State University — 39
• University of North Georgia, Dahlonega — 39
• Valdosta State University — 35
• Middle Georgia State University, Macon — 32
• Georgia Highlands College, Cartersville — 29
• Gordon State College, Barnesville — 26
• College of Coastal Georgia, Brunswick — 25
• Dalton State College — 22
• Georgia College & State University, Milledgeville — 21

The Red & Black reports that during a May 7 board of regents meeting, USG Chancellor Steve Wrigley said furloughs and unpaid time off would also be parts of the budget cut. Employees who make the most money would see the biggest drops in compensation. University presidents, for example, would take up to 26 unpaid days off during the fiscal year, equal to about a 10 percent pay cut.

Workers who make the least won’t be forced to take any unpaid time off. Most employees would be furloughed four to eight days.

Earlier in May, the United Campus Workers of Georgia called for no layoffs or department closures, as well as protections for “vulnerable” employees who make less than $40,000 a year. The Red & Black reported also that the union wants a progressive pay cut, where better paid employees have larger salary reductions.

“Our community cannot afford to compound the economic challenges we face by harming our social fabric,” the union’s news release said.

Before the budget proposal can be implemented, it has to be approved by the Georgia Legislature and signed by Gov. Kemp. The state legislature suspended its session in mid-March and has yet to announce when it will reconvene.

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