MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Pandemic-related temporary layoffs begin Monday at West Virginia University.
The university notified 900 workers earlier this month that they were being furloughed to save nearly $4 million.
WVU Vice President for Strategic Initiatives Rob Alsop said furlough decisions were made based on what functions are required to keep university functioning at this time of year.
“We did an analysis of over the next 45 to 60 days, given that our campus is closed and some of our revenue streams have dried up,” Alsop said. “What employees do we have that have been on home work assignments that are not critical over that time period.”
The furloughs will last either to the end of June on the end of July. Workers keep their benefits during their time off. They’ll be able to receive unemployment through WorkForce West Virginia and the additional $600 weekly benefits through the CARES Act.
Furloughs also begin Monday for 65 workers in the WVU Athletics Department. There are pay cuts for the rest of the staff between 2.5 and 5 percent.
The athletic department hopes to save $3 million.
WVU President Gordon Gee, his senior staff, Athletic Director Shane Lyons and the highest paid coaches are all taking voluntary pay cuts.