By GINNY COOPER/Staff Writer

MONTEVALLO—The University of Montevallo eliminated seven administrative positions as part of a “greater plan” to save money at the university, UM President John Stewart said.

The layoffs, which will save the university approximately $650,000 annually, is part of a larger plan to save over $1 million annually by cutting back on capital purchases and realigning university assets, Stewart said.

The strategy has “no plans for further reduction at this time,” Stewart said.

The staff reductions come after the university’s Board of Trustees audit and finance committee recommended a tuition increase.

“We lost 26% of state funding five years ago, and this is part of a proactive plan to keep Montevallo affordable for our students and families and to keep the emphasis on the enterprise of teaching and learning,” Stewart said.

Stewart emphasized all of the eliminated positions are administrative, and said the layoffs will have no effect on faculty positions.

“We are filling and adding faculty to enhance even further our ability to provide excellent faculty and small class sized,” Stewart said.

The University of Montevallo has increased enrollment in the last few years, with applications up 32% at the university.