Federal funding cuts spur buyout, retirement options for UT Arlington employees
The University of Texas at Arlington is offering employees voluntary buyouts and retirement options because of federal funding cuts, the university’s president announced this week.
UTA faculty and staff must decide by 5 p.m. Feb. 23, according to information on the university’s website.
Jeff Caplan, a spokesman for the university, said in an email that President Jennifer Cowley announced the voluntary buyout offers and phased retirement options in a welcome-back email for the spring semester sent to staff, faculty and students earlier this week.
Cowley wrote, “There are challenges ahead. Amid significant shifts in federal funding and policy, we must adapt — both to preserve funds that support our mission and to enable us to respond to future challenges. In response, we are launching a Voluntary Separation Program and a Phased Retirement program. These voluntary programs will provide options and incentives for those considering retirement that honor their long-standing contributions to UTA. Eligible employees will receive more information about these programs this week.”
When asked for more details on how much UTA is losing in federal funds and how many eligible employees could be affected, Caplan said, “At this time, we’ll let President Cowley’s remarks in the email speak for itself.”
But the university is still growing, with the $150 million UTA west campus taking shape on the border of Tarrant and Parker counties, a rapid growth area in far west Fort Worth.
The west campus, expected to serve 10,000 students, is across the freeway from the budding Walsh Ranch master-planned community.
A groundbreaking ceremony took place in April.