CNA Staff, May 20, 2025 /
16:28 pm
The Catholic University of America (CUA) announced Monday that it has eliminated 7% of its workforce in its final step to address the university’s structural deficit.
According to CUA — one of two pontifical universities in the U.S. and the only institution of higher education founded by the U.S. bishops — 66 active staff positions were eliminated as an unfortunate but “essential” part of the university’s efforts to balance its budget, which the university announced last year was at a deficit of $30 million.
The Washington, D.C.-based institution took several steps to reduce its annual operating budget — cutting operational costs, launching several new “revenue-generating” academic programs, offering voluntary separation packages to some faculty, and eliminating some staff positions, according to the Monday announcement by university president Peter Kilpatrick.
At the end of 2024, the university president had announced that due to rising costs and declining enrollment revenue, the university’s annual budget faced a $30 million deficit and needed to be cut by 10%.
In a statement shared with CNA, the university said the cuts were the final part of the plan to balance the budget, which could not be done “without also eliminating staff positions.”
“Originally announced last October, the plan required adjusting the university’s operating budget by approximately 10% ($30 million), which included operational budget reductions, the launch of several new revenue-generating academic programs, and staffing adjustments,” the statement continued.
Completing the “comprehensive financial resiliency plan” places the university “on solid financial footing for the first time in years,” according to the statement.
The university said it is prioritizing “supporting affected employees” through “enhanced severance packages and outplacement services.”
Staff members whose positions were cut will have a monthlong paid leave with full benefits.
“For our departing colleagues, we are providing comprehensive transition support, which includes an enhanced severance package made possible in part through the compassionate support of our dedicated donors,” Kilpatrick said in the announcement.
“Each person affected has helped shape our institution and contributed to our mission in meaningful ways,” he continued.
Kilpatrick noted that “this news affects our entire community” and pledged to provide support.
“For those directly affected, this represents a significant personal and professional change. For remaining faculty and staff, this may bring feelings of uncertainty and concern for colleagues,” Kilpatrick said. “Please know that we are committed to providing support for all members of our university family during this challenging time.”
Amid these challenges, Kilpatrick is looking ahead to prioritize the university’s mission while “on solid financial ground.”
“Now we can channel our energy toward strengthening our academic programs, enhancing the student experience, and fulfilling our founding mission to give to the nation, the Church, and the world its very best citizens — our graduates.”
Kate Quiñones is a staff writer for Catholic News Agency and a fellow of the College Fix. She has been published by the Wall Street Journal, the Denver Catholic Register, and CatholicVote, and she graduated from Hillsdale College. She lives in Colorado with her husband.
