The number of employees laid off at the University of Missouri increased by eight, to 181, in the weekly budgetary actions released Friday by MU Human Resource Services.

Savings from layoffs total $7.5 million.

The university has suffered economic hardships because of the COVID-19 pandemic and its effect on state and university revenues. MU has lost approximately $35 million since the start of the pandemic.

On Thursday, the university opted not to fire its 150 union custodians and outsource the work to a custodial services contractor, despite what officials said was potential annual savings of $3 million.

Employees placed on furlough — unpaid time off — increased by 36, to 3,634. Those savings total $4.4 million.

Another 29 employees will face voluntary or mandatory salary reductions, bringing the total number of employees affected to 2,346. The savings are $5.58 million.

There haven’t been any changes to the 33 contract non-renewals, with savings of $1.02 million.

Savings from all the measures total $18.5 million.

rmckinney@columbiatribune.com

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