SCSU, SCTCC Prepare To Send Out Layoff Notices

ST. CLOUD - Hundreds of layoff notices are being sent out this week to employees at St. Cloud's two MnSCU schools.

The layoff notices are in preparation of a possible state government shutdown at the end of this month.

St. Cloud State University Assistant Director of Human Resources Mary Bongers says they'll send out about 500 layoff notices.  And St. Cloud Technical and Community College Vice President of Administration Laurie Kloos says they'll send out 91 notices.  At both schools the notices are going to support staff, such as: IT personnel, maintenance, and administrative assistants.

MnSCU has asked the state to be able to use the money they have in their reserves.  If that's granted, the system could continue to operate through the fall term.  However, if that's denied, it's possible all schools would have to completely shut down on July 1st and summer school would be put on hold.  Bongers says right now they still have a lot more questions than answers.

Universities system will send layoff notices to 6,000 employees Friday if it can't work out a deal to get access to its money in a state government shutdown.

The MnSCU Board of Trustees held an emergency meeting Wednesday to discuss the implications of a shutdown. Chief Financial Officer Laura King says the system has enough money in state accounts to keep operating but might not be able to access it in a shutdown. She says she's confident the system will reach a deal with the state budget department to keep processing
MnSCU's money during a shutdown.

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