ROCK HILL, S.C. -- All Winthrop University employees will have to take six days of unpaid leave to help the South Carolina school deal with budget cuts.

University officials announced Thursday that all paychecks issued between Jan. 2 and June 30, 2009, will have the equivalent of a half-day's pay withheld.

Winthrop President Anthony DiGiorgio says the school is prepared for cuts up to 5 percent in addition to a $3.4 million reduction announced by state legislators earlier this year.

Last month, Winthrop trustees approved a $50 student fee for the spring semester to help deal with cuts.

Clemson University has also announced systemwide plans for a five-day furlough to help pay for $25 million in state cuts.