March 31--Backtracking on an earlier directive, Chicago State University is now telling employees that they don't need to turn in their keys ahead of expected widespread layoffs.
The Tribune reported Tuesday that university deans had been told to collect the keys from faculty, staff, administrators and students by next week as the university prepares for layoffs that could begin as early as April 30. "Every key must be collected, including master keys and special lock keys," according to the email sent to the deans.
But on Wednesday, university spokesman Thomas Wogan said administrators had been provided some "clarity" and were told employees do not need to hand in their keys "at this time." Instead, the university will begin "taking inventory" of where keys are, Wogan said, but he declined to discuss specifics.
"There will be an inventory process on a number of things, including keys, and that will be undertaken shortly to prepare for if there is no appropriation" of state money by the end of April, Wogan said.
The South Side public university, like all public higher education institutions in Illinois, has not received state money for nearly 10 months as a budget impasse in Springfield shows no sign of ending. But the budget situation is most dire for Chicago State, which serves mostly a minority and low-income population; it will not have enough money to cover payroll after April and could be forced to lay off a significant number of employees.
"We have enough cash to make payroll through April 30, and then the operating dollars are no longer sufficient," Wogan said. "We are working toward a solution in multiple facets."
Chicago State officials have said there are no plans to close and students can begin registering next week for summer and fall semesters.
But they declared a state of financial emergency earlier this year, and sent notices of potential layoffs to all of its 900 employees last month. Spring break was canceled and the last day of the semester moved up to April 28 to ensure students could finish the semester and seniors could graduate.
jscohen@tribpub.com
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