YOUNGSTOWN — Youngstown State University announced agreements to cut or furlough staff that could save the university up to $4.8 million over the next school year.

The university is eliminating 22 coaching and administrative positions in its intercollegiate athletics programs, representing a savings of $2 million.

The university and two of its employee unions have agreed to a plan that calls for furloughs resulting in a 10 percent pay cut and a lack-of-work layoff of 69 workers, a savings of at least $2.8 million

Both actions are in response to financial challenges resulting from the coronavirus pandemic.

The agreement with the 251-member Association for Classified Employees and the 163-member Association of Professional / Administrative Staff calls for:

* All employees in the two unions to take 26 furlough days of unpaid leave during the 2020-21 fiscal year that starts July 1, which equals a 10 percent pay cut;

Forty-five ACE employees and 24 APAS employees to be laid off for lack of work in areas of the university that have temporarily closed due to the pandemic, including areas such as Housing and Dining Services, and Parking. The lack-of-work layoffs run through July 31.

In addition, the agreement, approved by both unions last week, allows for a voluntary reduction in force under which employees can ask to be laid off June 1 to July 31.