The University of Missouri is allowing faculty and staff to take temporary pay reductions to help the University tackle recent budget cuts. The move comes in response to faculty and staff who asked how they could donate a portion of their pay to help the University avoid cuts.
University Spokesperson Christian Basi said that participation is entirely voluntary. Basi said the program may help the University avoid or reduce the need for budget cuts, but that the University is not asking employees participate.
“We are very appreciative of the generosity and the dedication of those individuals who have been participating,” Basi said. “We have seen a significant number [of employees sign up] already in the first few days.”
Basi said that participating in the program will not protect employees from cuts intended to reduce the budget.
“If they decide to take this action, it does not necessarily protect them from any other decisions such as a furlough or a layoff or additional salary reductions,” Basi said.
Missouri announced that it would be cutting $36.5 million in funding to the University of Missouri System earlier this month. University of Missouri System President Mun Choi, the System’s chancellors, and all deans have already volunteered to take a 10% decrease through July 31.