Dear Colleagues,
As part of our ongoing efforts to align the university’s resources with its long-term strategic priorities, we have worked diligently to implement the measures announced this past summer, many of which have helped us to minimize the direct impact on our community as much as possible. Unfortunately, due to continued pressures on the university’s finances, we ultimately had to make very difficult decisions that resulted in layoffs affecting 43 filled staff positions across several schools and central units.
We understand that it has taken some time for leadership to make these decisions and update you, and we regret any anxiety this caused. Over the past several weeks, unit leaders have made every effort to take great care and consideration before making such consequential personnel decisions. Earlier today, all individuals impacted by these reductions were notified. We acknowledge how these layoffs are affecting the impacted individuals, and we are committed to supporting each of them through this process with care and respect. Each impacted individual is being offered a severance package, benefits assistance, and outplacement services. For those who have an interest, we will also help them explore future opportunities at GW.
We recognize these reductions will also impact colleagues and other community members, and that when combined with the elimination of several vacant positions, they may create challenges for some units and impact some services. We also recognize the discipline that leaders have shown so far this year in managing expenses, in working to optimize revenues, and in adhering to the hiring freeze. In light of these circumstances, we have decided to convert the hiring freeze back to the position management review process we used last spring, effective October 13. Like universities across the country, we are keeping a careful eye on our finances as we navigate the unpredictable environment for higher education, and the position management review process will allow us to continue managing our compensation expenses while also allowing a limited number of positions to be filled. HR will follow up with unit leaders with guidance on this process.
We regret having to make this announcement at the end of the day. Our goal was to provide timely communication to the full community while allowing managers time to meet with affected individuals. We will communicate later this semester on our progress regarding GW’s financial stability, especially as we look ahead to preparing the FY27 budget. We wish to express our deepest appreciation to colleagues across the university who continue to seek ways to address GW’s financial challenges, including a working group of faculty and staff advising the administration on making further refinements to GW’s FY26 budget and addressing our structural deficit.
Thank you for your continued dedication to GW and to each other.
Sincerely,
Ellen M. Granberg
President
John Lach
Interim Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs
Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Bruno Fernandes
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and Treasurer
Scott M. Mory
Senior Vice President and Chief of Staff