The University of New Hampshire announced the layoff of 35 employees as it faces numerous financial and budget challenges, according to school officials.
None of the job cuts on May 22 were faculty members or class instructors, according to UNH spokesperson Tania deLuzuriaga. She said UNH was focused on protecting its academic mission, and the majority of the job cuts were administrative or staff roles. UNH declined to release the specific jobs that were cut.
UNH President Elizabeth Chilton in February had projected $15 million to $20 million would need to be cut from the budget. As state lawmakers work on the next biennial budget, the picture has grown worse, according to Chilton, as UNH prepares to submit its fiscal year 2026 budget soon to the University System of New Hampshire.
Chilton sent a message to the UNH community explaining the layoffs, citing lower than expected enrollment for fall 2025 as a factor. She stated UNH has “identified an initial $12.5 million in cost savings for the coming year; this gets us closer to closing the gap, but there is still work to be done.” She said more cost cuts will be made over the summer but did not specify if they will involve layoffs.
Chilton shed some light on the cost cuts.
“In some units this has included not hiring for vacant positions, reducing the number of adjunct instructors, reducing travel, postponing equipment purchases, and reducing certain service availability and hours,” Chilton wrote. “At the university level and at the system level, we continue to consolidate functions and administrative support. This work has involved difficult choices, and I am grateful to all who have contributed to this process.”
A statement issued by UNH went on to explain more about the cuts, without stating which jobs were eliminated or which departments were affected. UNH officials are trying to avoid identifying those who lost their jobs by revealing this information, according to deLuzuriaga.
“In reducing expenses, we have focused on minimizing impacts to academic excellence and the student experience,” according to UNH’s statement.
“In some departments this has included not hiring for vacant positions, reducing the number of adjunct instructors, reducing travel, postponing equipment purchases, and reducing certain service availability and hours. Among the difficult steps we have taken is to reduce our workforce. … These decisions were not made lightly, and we are committed to supporting each affected employee through this transition with separation benefits and career assistance.”
— SEACOASTONLINE STAFF
