Guilford College Furloughs Employees As Uncertainty Over Coronavirus Continues

Guilford College has furloughed more than half of the school's non-faculty employees. It's among the colleges and universities enacting cost-cutting measures as economic concerns linger over the coronavirus pandemic.  

This time of year, the small, private school in Greensboro is usually bustling with student events and activities. But Guilford College's campus has been eerily quiet for weeks as buildings remain closed due to COVID-19 concerns.

The university is operating with a small number of essential staff and faculty members have shifted to online classes. The changes are leaving deep budget holes and a lot of uncertainty. Guilford College President Jane Fernandes says they've had to make some tough decisions.

“The furloughs are temporary and they are continuing to June first,” says Fernandes. “But in the middle of May we will check in with the staff regarding when we will be open or if we can be open in June because at the time, we don't even know that.”

More than 130 part-time and full-time employees have been furloughed without pay. Fernandes says Guilford College is still providing the impacted employees with health care and life insurance coverage.

Guilford College says it's also working with North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities to request an increase in state need-based aid for students as more families face financial fallout from the pandemic.

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