South Carolina State University will make its employees take seven days off without pay as it tries to reduce the $6 million deficit projected for this year.

In a memo sent out Tuesday, President Dr. George Cooper informed employees they will have to take three additional days off during the Thanksgiving break, two extra days during Christmas break and two days during spring break. Employees’ paychecks will reflect the reduction from Jan. 15 to April 15.

“As we deal with these most difficult financial times, I am confident that we will continue our legacy of providing educational opportunities for our students,” Cooper said in the memo.

Cooper blamed the shortfall on factors including the university giving out more financial aid than it had budgeted for, smaller-than-budgeted enrollment and a four percent reduction in state funding on top of previous reductions.

“Personnel services constitute 65 percent of the university’s budget. With the severe budget reductions that are necessary at this juncture, the only area feasible from which the administration is able to reduce funds sufficient to balance the budget is in personnel services,” he said.

The furlough was a designed with an eye toward maintaining academics, retaining key employees in temporary assignments and “lessening, to the extent possible, employees losing their jobs.”

The move had been anticipated as university officials mulled for months how to deal with the shortfall. In October, Cooper discussed the possibility of a 10-day employee furlough and eliminating $1.7 million in post-retirement and part-time employee salaries. University finance committee trustees said they don’t want the university to balance its budget with one-time federal money that might not be available next year.

While university spokesperson Erica Prioleau-Taylor did confirm a memo was sent out, she said Cooper may not respond to questions submitted late Tuesday afternoon until Wednesday.

University board Chairman Jonathan Pinson did not return calls Tuesday.

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