DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Bethune-Cookman University, facing crippling debt, will begin laying off some employees, and will also begin reducing salaries for other employees.
- Bethune-Cookman University will notify most employees by Friday
- It's not known how many will be affected
- B-CU is struggling with debts, suing former president and board members
- PREVIOUS STORIES:
Interim President Hubert Grimes did not say how many people will be laid off, or in what positions in a letter to employees earlier this week.
Grimes did say most of the affected employees will be informed by Friday.
"While we have made adjustments to the university's organizational make-up over the past several months, there is a need to make additional and substantial changes in order to save and restructure the university for long term sustainability," Grimes wrote.
Changes also include placing all university employees on unpaid furloughs during the Spring Break. There will also be adjustments in job responsibilities and salary guidelines, according to the letter.
Grimes did not go into detail in the letter on any of the changes.
The university is in the process of suing the school's former president and other officials for fraud. They say the board approved $60 million for new dorms and a student union, but records show the developer was paid nearly $80 million. The student union was never built, and $25 million of the money remains unaccounted for.
Earlier this week the school's Board of Trustees executive committee met in private and put forth names to add three additional board members, despite calls for the entire board to step down.
Last week, B-CU trustee Judge Belvin Perry accused the board and Chairwoman Michelle Carter-Scott of trying to sidestep inquiries into finding out where the money went.
Students have also held several protests as well over the financial issue.