UMD lays off 84 employees during ‘period of uncertainty’

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The University of Maryland, College Park, announced 84 employees were laid off Wednesday, according to a letter from school officials addressed to “colleagues.”

The letter blames the layoffs on a projected increase in energy costs by $18 million, with a decrease of $15 million in federal funding in fiscal 2027.

The letter also says the school lost an additional $104 million the last three years. The letter was signed by university President Darryll Pines, Senior Vice President and Provost Jennifer King Rice, and Vice President for Finance and Chief Financial Officer Greg Oler.

“Arriving at these decisions required months of difficult analysis and deliberation across the university.” the school officials wrote to faculty and staff. “Every effort was made to balance financial necessity with our responsibility to maintain the academic, research, service and administrative functions that are essential to our mission. State budget forecasts continue to indicate significant fiscal pressures in the years ahead, and federal funding conditions remain unpredictable.”

They added that no additional layoffs are anticipated “at this time,” but “we must remain prepared to respond to changing financial circumstances as they arise.”

The union representing employees said it received 68 layoff notices and called the school’s decision to lay off workers “simply unacceptable.” The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) is the state’s largest public employees union.

The union noted in a statement that the university system received additional funding and allocated reserves to pay for wage increases this year.

“It is infuriating and disappointing that UMD has chosen to lay off the AFSCME members who make this university possible while wasting millions on a bloated administration and costly contractors,” the union said in the statement.

The decision by the state’s flagship institution to lay off employees comes less than two months after officials announced on April 27 a hiring freeze for all positions through June 30, and the elimination of up to 150 positions through unfilled vacancies, retirements and layoffs.

“We continue actively pursuing additional ways to increase our revenues and reduce operating expenses,” the school officials said. “We know that trust is built through honesty, especially during difficult moments. We remain committed to communicating with our community as we navigate these challenges together.”

Several other schools in the university system also have financial challenges, including Bowie State University, which faced a $13.6 million budget deficit in the current fiscal year. The school was able to avoid layoffs through delays in hiring, elimination of vacant positions and other efforts.

But a May 15 PowerPoint presentation shows the fiscal 2027 elimination of 75 positions at Bowie State through a similar combination of vacancies, reorganization and layoffs. It would save the university about $5.5 million by cutting 49 vacancies and another $1.7 million by 26 employee layoffs.

About a week later, in response to a vote of “no confident” by some faculty leaders, Bowie State President Aminta Breaux wrote a three-page letter to the school community. Faculty had accused the school president and Provost Guy-Alain Amoussou of mismanaging the university’s finances by spending it on administrative officials and not enough support of teaching.

“Many of these claims have been repeated publicly as fact despite being previously addressed in writing and despite the absence of substantiated evidence,” Breaux wrote. “Unfortunately, misinformation and incomplete narratives have continued to spread in ways that have harmed the reputation of Bowie State University and overshadowed the extraordinary work taking place across this institution every day.”

Even amidst financial uncertainly, the school celebrated its largest graduation class of 887 students during its spring commencement ceremony May 26.

William J. Ford has reported for more than 25 years on local, county and state politics. Before Maryland Matters, he spent nearly 10 years covering municipalities, regional news and occasional news features with sports angles at The Morning Call in Allentown, Pennsylvania.