Duke University says 599 employees accepted a “voluntary separation incentive program” as part of the university’s plan to reduce costs amid federal funding cuts by President Donald Trump.
In a university-wide message on Friday, officials warned that “involuntary staff reductions” (known among commoners as “layoffs”) are coming next month.
“This news weighs heavily on all of us at Duke,” said the message that broke the news to employees. “Between August 5th and 19th, impacted employees will be contacted individually by their managers and will work closely with Human Resources through this transition. We recognize and are sorry for the impact these changes will have on our colleagues.”
The university didn’t detail how many employees it will lay off to reach its goal, but did note that “the high number of [voluntary separation] participants means that fewer employees will be affected by this action.”
The message, signed by Duke’s executive vice president and provost, noted that more than 250 additional faculty members are “currently considering” voluntary retirement incentives. It also doesn’t clarify if any departments or units had enough voluntary separations to avoid the impending layoffs.
Those who took the voluntary separation agreement, per a copy viewed by INDY, will receive a lump sum of two weeks of pay for each complete year of work at Duke, up to a maximum of a year’s pay. Those with less than three years of work will receive six weeks of pay. The agreement also requires that employees not apply for any jobs at Duke for the next three years.
Duke announced in April that it would be cutting 10 percent, or about $350 million, from its budget as the Trump administration slashed research funding and threatened other cuts. Officials said that target was based on projections that the federal funding cuts and policy changes (including tiered tax rates on college endowments) could result in losses totaling as much as $500 million to $750 million.
With more than 44,500 full-time and part-time employees between the university and its health system, Duke is the largest employer in Durham County and the second-largest private employer in the state. It paid $4 billion in salaries and wages in 2024.
While Duke’s plan to cut costs was already underway, the Wall Street Journal reported this week that Duke is one of the schools from which the White House is seeking to collect a fine for failing to “stop antisemitism” on campus. Per the blueprint of Columbia University’s $200 million kowtow, an agreement with the Trump administration would presumably include a restoration of federal grants.
Matt Hartman and Erin Gretzinger contributed additional reporting.
Reach Reporter Chase Pellegrini de Paur at [email protected]. Comment on this story at [email protected].