SchaferEdFARGO, N.D. (AP) – Interim University of North Dakota president Ed Schafer says the school will eliminate 138 positions to help meet budget cuts ordered by the governor.

Schafer disclosed the numbers at a state Board of Higher Education meeting Thursday when leaders at the state’s 11 colleges and universities mapped out plans to trim their budgets.

The reductions at the 11 schools range from $21.5 million at UND to $400,000 at Dakota College at Bottineau. UND’s cuts are more drastic than other institutions, mainly because of previous budget shortfalls.

Schafer says the cuts include 51 faculty positions. The Grand Forks school previously announced it was eliminating some academic and sports programs.

Board member Kari Reichert says her “eyebrows raised quite a bit” when Schafer outlined the number of positions on the chopping block.