Illinois Institute of Technology lays off faculty, staff members

The Illinois Institute of Technology has laid off numerous faculty and staff members just before the start of the fall semester.

"Across the nation, colleges and universities are facing an unprecedented convergence of challenges: demographic decline, research cutbacks, and severe restrictions on international students," an IIT spokesperson said in a statement. "As with several Chicago peer institutions, Illinois Tech is taking the difficult, but decisive, steps needed to address these challenges and protect our mission as an opportunity engine for all."

The statement said "targeted reductions in the university's workforce" were needed to maintain financial stability and provide the proper education for students.

Published reports said the school laid off around 160 faculty and staff members just before the start of the fall semester.

The Trump administration has significantly cut federal funding for university research and tightened regulations on foreign students. IIT reports more than 40% of its students come from countries outside the U.S.