PIKEVILLE, Ky. (AP) - Independent liberal arts Pikeville College is cutting nearly 20 percent of its staff and is limiting spending to essential expenses.

The Appalachian News-Express quoted college board chairman Terry Dotson as saying 25 of the 105 support positions are being cut immediately and 15 of the 105 faculty posts will be eliminated over the next 18 months.

The college issued a statement saying the cuts are part of a restructuring of the undergraduate program at Pikeville College.

Officials said no changes are expected at School of Osteopathic Medicine.

here are about 1,100 students, including the osteopathic school.