In a webcast to the university community, McDavis said details of the Ohio Public Employees Retirement System ERIP will be announced early next week. The number of employees who participate -- along with other cost-savings and revenue-generation efforts -- will influence how many layoffs the university ultimately may face. That figure will not be known for several weeks, he said.

McDavis stressed that the university has undertaken a range of disciplined, strategic approaches to managing its financial challenges, and he expressed gratitude to faculty and staff across the university who are working to explore efficiencies and revenue opportunities.

"Our work has focused on safeguarding the future of Ohio University and has been guided by a single purpose: to preserve and enhance the quality of our core academic mission of teaching, learning, research and creative activity," he said.

"As you realize, this is a very serious issue, and one I do not take lightly," he said in closing. "However, in making these decisions, I remain confident that we will rise from this and emerge a stronger university community."