Like many colleges and universities across the nation, Lakeland Community College has been impacted financially by a significant decline in revenues due to the novel coronavirus.
Prior to the pandemic, Lakeland was experiencing a shortfall in tuition revenue due to historically low unemployment for the academic year ending June 30, 2020, school officials confirmed.
Now, Lakeland is facing additional financial challenges brought on by cuts in state funding and a significant decline in revenues due to COVID-19.
According to a news release, Lakeland will lose $781,000 in state funding between now and the end of June, and anticipates a $3.1 million to $4.1 million cut in state funding for fiscal year 2021.
Enrollment projections for summer and fall semesters are uncertain, as current and prospective students face financial, family, health and technology challenges.
As a result of the financial impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the college during the last few months and into the future, Lakeland has announced reductions in force effective May 15.
The affected full- and part-time non-instructional personnel are from a range of college departments and have served in a variety of roles, the release stated.
Thirty-seven employees were permanently laid off, 51 were furloughed and 25 have a permanent reduction in hours.
Other cost-savings measures that will continue include:
* A hiring freeze with rare exceptions for continuity of operations or revenue generation
* Reductions in nonessential operating costs
* Suspension of college-sponsored travel
According to the college, the actions are being taken “to assure the continued financial strength” of the institution.
“These are unprecedented times, which unfortunately require difficult decisions to ensure we continue to meet our mission of helping area students reach their educational goals,” said Lakeland President Morris W. Beverage Jr.
“Our students demonstrate their resilience every day, and so will Lakeland overcome these challenges.”
![KEVIN FREKING (Associated Press) WASHINGTON (AP) — Speaker Mike Johnson has unveiled a long-awaited package of bills that will provide military aid to Ukraine and Israel, replenish U.S. weapons systems and give humanitarian assistance to civilians in Gaza. The package totals $95.3 billion in spending, which matches the total that the Senate passed in mid-February. […]](https://www.news-herald.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Congress_Ukraine_Israel_88168.jpg?w=525 "KEVIN FREKING (Associated Press) WASHINGTON (AP) — Speaker Mike Johnson has unveiled a long-awaited package of bills that will provide military aid to Ukraine and Israel, replenish U.S. weapons systems and give humanitarian assistance to civilians in Gaza. The package totals $95.3 billion in spending, which matches the total that the Senate passed in mid-February. […]")
![SOUTH CHARLESTON, Ohio (AP) — An Ohio man who authorities say fatally shot an Uber driver who he thought was trying to rob him after scam phone calls deceived them both has been indicted on a murder charge. William Brock, 81, also faces counts of kidnapping and felonious assault in the indictment handed up Monday […]](https://www.news-herald.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Scam_Caller_Uber_Driver_Killed_69376.jpg?w=525 "SOUTH CHARLESTON, Ohio (AP) — An Ohio man who authorities say fatally shot an Uber driver who he thought was trying to rob him after scam phone calls deceived them both has been indicted on a murder charge. William Brock, 81, also faces counts of kidnapping and felonious assault in the indictment handed up Monday […]")
