SLIPPERY ROCK — Slippery Rock University is looking at a projected $10 million deficit for 2014-15.

President Cheryl Norton told SRU’s council of trustees last week that the university is addressing the deficit “through strategic reductions in the work force, cuts in operating budgets and by increasing revenue opportunities.”

SRU spokesman Rita Abent said in an interview that each division has been asked to cut costs by 9 percent. She said these cuts will not be across the board, saying that some departments may only be able to cut 5 percent or 6 percent, and others may be able to cut more to compensate.

“It’s going to depend on certain areas,” Abent said.

With about 80 percent of the budget made up of personnel costs, she said that changes in employment cannot be avoided.

“Clearly, we have some issues in terms of salaries and benefits,” Abent said.

She said that SRU a few years ago cut costs through energy savings and delayed maintenance.

“There’s no more low-hanging fruit,” Abent said.

SRU administration and representatives from the different unions on campus have been meeting regularly to discuss financial decisions.

Tenured faculty had to be notified of any changes by Oct. 30. Seven positions were affected, with six professors being moved to other departments. Another professor, in the math department, apparently voluntarily ended her employment.

No other faculty have been laid off since. Abent said that SRU will try to maintain a 20-1 student-to-faculty ratio.

Patrick Burkhart, president of SRU’s chapter of the Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculty, said that he is hopeful there will not be any other changes in the number of faculty. The union represents about 500 SRU employees.

The other unions on campus, as well as non-union managers, will be notified of any reductions by March 31.

SRU is looking at reducing some employees contracts from 12 months to 10 months. Abent said that this saves the university two months of salary, while still letting the employee have benefits for the full 12 months.

She said that reducing the length of contracts can make sense for many departments that are not as busy during the summer months.

Abent said that some positions that could be changed from 12 to 10 months have been identified, but the situation is still being discussed. She said she is not aware of how many positions might be affected.

SRU representatives of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, the second-largest union on campus covering more than 300 employees, deferred comment to leadership in Harrisburg, who did not return a call for comment.

In September, the SRU trustees approved a $114.5 million budget for 2013-14, and managed to eliminate a $5.2 million deficit without any layoffs.

Other State System of Higher Education universities had more drastic plans.

Edinboro University announced it would cut 40 faculty positions. Mansfield University said it is considering cutting up to 29 faculty and 25 administrative positions.

Clarion University said it would eliminate 42 positions and get rid of some bachelor’s degree programs. East Stroudsburg University said that it is phasing out bachelor’s degrees in music and French as well as cutting five faculty members.

Norton projected an accumulated deficit of $28.9 million over the next three years, due to decreasing student enrollment, flat state funding and increasing expenses.

She said that SRU is using as many retirements and other forms of natural attrition to accomplish some reduction goals.

“However, it will be impossible to meet our goals without some furloughs and/or changes in work assignments from 12- to 10-month contracts,” Norton said.