Dear Ohio
University Faculty and Staff:
On May 14,
2010, in a communication to the University community, I outlined a multi-year
planning approach that included new hiring freeze parameters. The goal in
tightening the hiring freeze was to help us prepare for an uncertain FY 2012
budget climate while we engaged in the strategic and budgetary analyses needed
to develop a multi-year plan.
The
parameters put in place on May 17, 2010, limited approval for hiring to three
categories: critical instructional positions to be filled by Group II and IV
faculty; positions funded fully through external grants, contracts, or
foundation accounts where funding will not be shifted to a general fund or
general fee account at a future time; or health, safety, and compliance
positions that could not be adequately filled on a temporary basis. In my
message, I also indicated that a decision would be made in September about
retaining or amending the May 17th hiring freeze guidelines.
A review of
the effects of the guidelines on base budget expenditures over the past four
months shows that the parameters for the hiring freeze have significantly
slowed personnel spending while maintaining mission-critical activities and
services. Based on these results, I have authorized the continuation of
the current hiring freeze with a new provision that programs with imminent
academic accreditation issues may now request hiring exemptions for Group I
faculty. I will review the effects of the hiring freeze again in March
2011.
Units
seeking exemptions should continue to use the Hiring Freeze Exemption Request
form. It can be found at http://www.ohio.edu/hr/upload/Hiring_Freeze_Exemption_Form_REV_9-8-10.doc. The form has been revised to include additional information for
requests related to academic accreditation issues.
Your
patience and perseverance as we navigate through these challenging times is
very much appreciated. Through your efforts we will maintain our ability
now and strengthen our ability in the future to advance inspired teaching and
research, innovative academic programs, exemplary student support services, and
integrated co-curricular activities.
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