EAST LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – Budget cuts have caused Michigan State University to eliminate 99 positions, including faculty, staff, and executive roles, according to a statement by MSU President Kevin Guskiewicz released Wednesday. Federal funding reductions have eliminated an additional 83 positions, for a total reduction of 1.3% of MSU’s staff.

According to the statement, MSU asked departments to share a budget cut totaling 9% over two financial years, with the first 6%, or $50 million, taking effect this current financial year. Guskiewicz noted that nearly two-thirds of the cost-cutting measures were for non-personnel expenses, but that staff cuts were inevitable.

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“The impacts of programmatic, unit and employee cuts have been felt by all,” Guzkiewicz said in the statement. “Behind every budget line in our units and colleges are people — colleagues, programs and commitments that matter deeply to our community. The decisions we’ve had to collectively make these past few months affect individuals and teams in real ways, and we do not take that lightly.”

Guzkiewicz said the cuts were necessary because of rising health care costs, reductions in federal research funding, and high financial aid spending.

As of Oct. 1, the federal government cancelled 74 research projects at MSU and put at least 86 projects under a stop-work order, with a multi-year impact of over $104 million according to the statement.

The state budget passed this month included a one-time funding increase of 2.1% to MSU, for a total of $333,766,200 in base operations funding,

According to the MSU student newspaper, The State News, the campus is feeling the budget cuts. Students are reporting fewer teaching assistants, larger classes, less study abroad opportunities, and classes cancelled due to lack of faculty.