Facing a $4 million budget shortfall, Keene State College eliminated 25 staff positions, eight of which were already vacant, on Tuesday and 12 faculty members have voluntarily opted in to an incentive plan to leave, the school’s president announced.

The cuts will help address the school’s deficit in the wake of nearly $18 million in cuts to the University System of New Hampshire , which also includes UNH and Plymouth State University. The reductions at Keene State were “difficult but necessary restructuring,” interim KSC President Donald L. Birx said in a statement.

“Considerations of impacted positions began earlier in the fall, however, individuals were notified today,” Birx wrote Tuesday. “These are people who have given their time, energy, and care to Keene State, and their absenc

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