Oakland City University says it is working to remain open after employees missed a recent payrolls and the school filed notice of possible layoffs earlier this spring.

According to reports from Inside Higher Ed and the Evansville Courier & Press, the university notified the state in April that all 167 employees could be laid off June first. More recent reports indicate layoffs have now been announced and are set to take effect May 31st. Undergraduate programs have also been suspended for the next academic year, with plans to resume them for the 2027-28 school year.

Meanwhile, university officials say the school is working with two companies on funding and a possible strategic partnership aimed at continuing operations.

University spokesperson Todd Mosby told Inside Higher Ed the school has not announced plans to permanently close. He said one company is expected to provide funding for missed paychecks, while another is involved in negotiations tied to the university’s future.

Federal data shows Oakland City University enrolled about 640 students last fall. Tax records reviewed by Inside Higher Ed showed the university reported operating deficits in each of the last two years.