The University of Tulsa laid off 47 employees across various departments and cut retirement benefits for those who kept their jobs. Officials are blaming the Chinese coronarvirus pandemic.

TU officials said the layoffs would save about $2.4 million a year. Earlier, some athletic coaches had their pay cut by 10-15%. TU will suspend employer retirement contributions at least through next summer.

The employees laid off by TU will get severance pay of one week of salary for each year of employment up to 20 weeks. Plus, they will retain their health benefits through December. Free tuition for former employees and their family members will go on for another 12 years. School officials do not anticipate further cuts this year.