University of Utah leaders plan to slash staff positions by 5% to 15% over the next year as the institution faces what it described as “some of the most significant challenges in its 176-year history.” The staff eliminations would amount to between 250 and 855 jobs, cuts that could include layoffs as well as attrition and retirements, according to a Tuesday news release. Reductions won’t apply evenly across units, according to the university’s chief financial officer. Leaders hope to free up resources to reinvest in the institution, which could include “more faculty positions, increased faculty salaries, more research support, and continued development of a more fully residential campus,” the university said.