KU Athletics imposing new pay cuts, furloughs to cut costs

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) - The University of Kansas athletic department has imposed pay cuts and furloughs for all employees in response to financial problems caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

Athletic Director Jeff Long announced the moves in an email to donors Wednesday, The Kansas City Star reports.

Long, men’s basketball coach Bill Self and football coach Les Miles already said last month that they would take 10% pay cuts for six months, starting this month.

But the department is now cutting the pay of employees making more than $300,000 a year by 10% and requiring people earning less than $50,000 to take three weeks of furloughs between June 1 and July 25. People earning from $50,000 to $300,000 have the choice of pay cuts or furloughs.

All of the moves together are expected to save about $1.15 million in 2020.

The university is projecting a $120 million budget shortfall because of a drop in state revenues after the state shut down its economy in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

Kansas State University men’s basketball and football coaches Bruce Weber and Chris Klieman agreed to 13% pay cuts for the upcoming budget year. Kansas State also reduced salaries up to 10%.