The University System of Georgia's proposed fiscal 2021 budget calls for eliminating 394 positions at the University of Georgia to meet Gov. Brian Kemp's order for state agencies to cut 14%.

The proposed budget was obtained by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. For all of the USG's 26 institutions combined, it calls for laying off 735 people and freezing another 1,341 open positions. Along with cuts to travel and other expenses, that would save $361 million.

UGA appears to be cutting mostly administrative and support staff, sparing faculty. Those administrative cuts, however, would "lead to a severe disruption in service," USG wrote, including delays in hiring, accounting and processing student accounts. In addition, workers making over $35,000 a year would be furloughed anywhere from four to 16 days, depending on their pay. UGA's current $421 million budget would shrink by $59 million. 

The University of North Georgia, which has a campus in Oconee County, would also offer voluntary separation agreements to retirement-eligible employees.

Tax revenue declined 36% last month and unemployment hit nearly 12% as many businesses closed in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

The budget isn't final until the state legislature—which is currently in recess due to the pandemic—reconvenes and passes a state budget, then the Board of Regents passes a budget for public colleges and universities. That must happen by July 1, according to the Georgia constitution.