Niagara University has confirmed that it recently underwent a round of layoffs to ensure what it described as “long-term strength and stability” for the organization.
WGRZ Channel 2 news in Buffalo first reported what the university confirmed as “recent staffing reductions” in a report the station posted to its website on Tuesday. In its report, WGRZ indicated that it received “multiple calls regarding a potential round of layoffs” at Niagara University.
In a statement to the Gazette, a university spokesperson confirmed the layoffs while noting that NU “remains the highest-enrolled private college or university in Western New York, with notable progress in enrollment and affordability despite national and regional challenges facing higher education.”
The spokesperson did not provide the number of layoffs or departments involved, nor did the university respond to a question about why the staffing reductions were implemented.
“We must take prudent steps to ensure long-term strength and stability,” the full statement read. “The recent staffing reductions, though difficult, are part of a responsible approach to stewarding our resources so that Niagara University continues to thrive and fulfill its mission for our students and alumni — and the regional, national, and global communities we impact.”
The Gazette reported Tuesday that NU was dealing with a large drop in enrolled international students.
This fall semester at Niagara has 465 students enrolled from countries outside of the United States and Canada, a 45% drop from last year. Those students make up 12% of the overall student body of 3,894 students, not taking into account those only studying for a semester or year, which the school has not seen any major changes.
School officials did report that NU welcomed 578 freshmen and 131 transfer students to campus last week, representing a 7% annual increase in the number of new undergraduate students.