University of Utah may cut up to 15% of workforce for ‘modernization’ as it faces ‘most significant challenges’ in 176-year history

The University of Utah has announced plans to eliminate up to 15% of its non-faculty and non-clinical workforce over the next year as part of what it calls a broader “modernization” effort. The university said the changes could affect between 5% and 15% of its approximately 5,700-person non-faculty and non-clinical workforce, translating to roughly 285 to 855 positions. However, the university stressed that the figures do not represent a blanket workforce reduction.

Chief Financial Officer Gary McArthur said the cuts are “not a university-wide target” and do not apply uniformly across all 5,700 positions. He said the announcement should not be interpreted as a plan to reduce every unit's workforce by 5% to 15%.

Some reductions will occur through normal attrition and retirements, while others could involve eliminating positions, McArthur said. “The scope and timing will vary by function, and no final decisions have been made about the total number of positions that may be affected,” he added.


Meanwhile, Chief Human Resources Officer Jeff Herring said employees affected by the changes would receive support throughout the process.

Why is the University of Utah cutting jobs?

The university said the changes are intended to free up resources for greater investment in education, research and patient care. In a statement, the university said financial strength gives it the ability to invest, adapt and respond to new opportunities and challenges.

“These changes will also support the university’s core objective of boosting its graduation rate so that 80% of students can complete their degrees within six years and join the workforce with less debt,” it said.

The University of Utah said it is facing “some of the most significant challenges in its 176-year history,” citing federal funding cuts and declining public trust in higher education. The university also pointed to demographic changes in Utah. The state’s college-age population, along with student enrollment at its colleges and universities, is projected to begin a multi-year decline in 2032.

The university said its financial position remains strong but warned that expenses are growing faster than revenues, a trend it described as unsustainable over the long term. “Acting now, from a position of strength, provides more options and allows the U to make thoughtful changes rather than waiting until financial pressures become more acute,” the university said.

How is the University of Utah modernizing its workforce?

The university said several initiatives are already underway to improve efficiency, standardize processes and better allocate resources.

These include:

• Improving service and standardization of processes through Operational Excellence initiatives
• Transitioning from embedded, but siloed, staff teams to more efficient centralized and integrated human resources, IT, financial services, marketing and communication functions through Coordinated Services
• Connecting planning to educational mission in Academic Affairs (Mission Aligned Planning) and aligning clinical, education and research missions through University of Utah Health’s Coordinated Clinical Enterprise initiatives
• Leading out in college sports through Crimson Brand Partners’ new model for sustainability in Utah Athletics
• Restructuring the university’s retirement contribution formula to free up funding for more competitive employee salaries
• Implementing Anaplan, a modern planning and budgeting platform that will provide better data, stronger forecasting and more informed decision-making across the university

The University of Utah currently has more than 47,000 full- and part-time positions across its broader workforce, but the announced cuts specifically concern its approximately 5,700 non-faculty and non-clinical employees.