Loyola University Maryland eliminated 66 positions this semester as part of a broader effort to reallocate resources and advance the university’s strategic plan, according to university president Terrence M. Sawyer.
The reductions included 29 filled positions and 37 vacant positions and were made following a review of the university’s organizational structure and staffing levels.
In a June 1 written statement to the Catholic Review, Sawyer said the university has faced ongoing financial pressures common throughout higher education.
“Over the past few years, our campus community has been having candid conversations about the pressures impacting higher education, and thereby Loyola,” he said. “While Loyola has consistently balanced its budget each year, it has done so in a way that has not allowed us to make the investments needed to aggressively support our strategic plan.”
The staffing reductions were carried out as part of Loyola’s strategic plan, “Together We Rise,” which includes a commitment to improving operational efficiency.
Sawyer noted that as part of its strategic plan, school leaders have committed to “attaining operational excellence through an initiative that involved a deep and thorough study of our organizational structures and resources.”
The eliminated positions were the result of what he called a “data-informed analysis of Loyola’s staffing levels against staffing levels at other similarly sized benchmark institutions.”
“This reduction in force was made along with other responsible spending reductions and plans for growth in revenues,” Sawyer said. “It is our view that these moves represent the stewardship that our students and families deserve.”
Sawyer said the cuts are intended to allow the university to redirect resources toward key priorities while limiting costs for students and their families.
“We made these decisions so we can intentionally reallocate resources as we implement our strategic plan,” he said. “We are committed to investing in our community, our campus infrastructure, and new programs, while maintaining reasonable costs for our students and their families.”
Despite the workforce reduction, Sawyer expressed confidence in the university’s financial outlook and highlighted several recent indicators of institutional growth.
“Loyola is well-positioned for the future, continuing to enjoy strong bond ratings and attracting the attention of generous donors who want to be part of shaping that future,” Sawyer said.
He noted that Loyola just celebrated one of its largest commencements in school history and will welcome more than 1,000 new students this fall, including a second class of nursing students.
Over the last several months, he added, Loyola announced the three largest gifts in school history and will soon conclude construction on the addition of Bloomfield Hall and the expanded and renovated Donnelly Science Center which he said serves as the academic center for nursing, STEM and health sciences.
According to reporting by the Baltimore Banner, Loyola’s student newspaper, “The Greyhound,” reported that Sawyer told students during a town hall meeting last fall that the university finished fiscal year 2025 with a $4 million operating deficit. The shortfall was covered using reserve funds.
Email Katie V. Jones at kjones@CatholicReview.org
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