RISE complex at ISU lays off 34 workers because of contract expirations

More than 30 workers at Idaho State University are being laid off. Those workers are part of the RISE complex at ISU. RISE is a research and technology based facility.

ISU said the reason for the layoffs is because federal contracts and grants are ending. It’s project-based and employees are paid by grants. So once the projects are complete, the contract for those employees is up. A total of 34 employees will be leaving, including 10 full-time positions.

Dr. Cornelis Van der Schyf, vice president for research at ISU, said it will be hiring for new contracts and projects and there is a possibility of rehiring or reassigning those employees.

“When new projects come into RISE or to other units like the IAC, we will do whatever we can, and if they are aligned with the project, we would love to rehire them,” Van der Schyf said. “It just works that way because we have the local talent and we’d like to keep the local talent.”

The layoffs will still leave RISE with close to 30 employees.