The University of Delaware will implement a five percent salary reduction for non-unionized employees, effective November 1.
UD is facing a budget gap that could amount to a quarter of billion dollars, due to coronavirus and a drop in enrollment.
The reduction amounts to about nine days of leave. The days for most employees will be distributed in the following manner:
- Three days before Thanksgiving (Nov. 23-25)
- Three days before Christmas (December 21-23)
- Three remaining days to be used at the employee’s discretion.
Regardless of when the days are taken, the salary reduction will be evenly spread through the remainder of the fiscal year (November 1, 2020, to June 30, 2021), a release stated.
In some units, the reduction in time and salary may need to be greater than 5 percent. In addition, further cost-cutting such as workforce reduction, organizational restructuring, and other measures will be announced.
Some mitigation efforts have already been employed, including drawing $100 Million from the university’s endowment.
The 5 percent salary reduction does not apply to employees who are subject to collective bargaining agreements or student employees (graduate and undergraduate), postdoctoral fellows, and anyone on an H-1B visa.
The university continues to negotiate with the American Association of University Professors and other unions.
The full text of a letter to faculty and staff can be found here.
