{Beckley, West Virginia}...Mountain State University announced Monday it is cutting its workforce in half. Impacted workers were notified that their employment ends September 21st. The Beckley-based school says the reduction is necessary after the July 9th decision from the Higher Learning Commission to withdraw MSU's accreditation. Mountain State Board of Trustees Chairman Jerry Ice says the employees are hardworking and dedicated, and the decisions were not based on performance issues. Mountain State has established a career services center that will help employees who are losing their jobs. A Rapid Response Team from WorkForce West Virginia will be on campus Friday from 10:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. Higher Education Policy Commission Chancellor Paul Hill told the Legislative Oversight Commission on Education Accountability that officials have sought to assure the more than 900 Mountain State students who have qualified for state-level financial aid that the aid remains valid and can move with them to another institution.
