EMU cuts 81 positions ranging from highly paid administrators to hourly laborers

Eastern Michigan University cut a total of 81 full and part-time positions last month, saving $4.24 million in salaries, information obtained through an AnnArbor.com Freedom of Information Act request shows.

The number represents about 4 percent of the university’s nearly 2,000 employees. Total savings, including benefits, as a result of the cuts were expected to be $5.4 million, EMU said last month.

Among the positions cut, 38 were vacant. The remaining 43 resulted in layoffs, but the university has recalled some of those workers, university officials said Thursday, and only about 34 now remain laid off. Four of those were voluntary layoffs.

“We’re continuing to work through it and some people have been called back and we’re going to continue to work closely with our unions and employees and try to address things as positively as we can,” said Walter Kraft, EMU vice president of communications.

From: Annarbor