LAFAYETTE, La. (KLFY) -- The budget crisis at the University of Louisiana-Lafayette continues to hit home with university employees.

According to a letter from interim President Jamie Hebert, 70 jobs across all divisions have been affected.

Of the 70, 51 positions were eliminated; 28 unclassified employees and 23 classified employees governed by Civil Service rules, with the remaining positions reduced due to retirements, resignations and reassignments, Hebert said.

"These decisions were made after careful evaluation of University priorities and operational needs," Hebert said. "I recognize how difficult this moment is for our campus. Every individual impacted by this process has contributed to the life of the University. Their work has advanced our mission, strengthened our programs and served our students and community. We are deeply grateful to them."

Hebert took over after Joseph Savoie stepped down in July, a year before his contract was set to run out. UL’s top finance administrator, Jerry Luke LeBlanc, resigned suddenly in May.

Hebert then revealed a $25 million “structural deficit” in September requiring substantial cuts to balance. He said that after this job cut, $20.5 million of the $25 million deficit has been accounted for.

"Our work is not finished, however," Hebert said. "We must now address the remaining $5 million of the structural deficit and begin tackling the University’s recurring debt of approximately $25 million. To do so, we have established a target of $15 million in additional reductions over the coming months – enough to erase the remaining deficit and begin resolving the first $10 million of our recurring debt."

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