U imposes indefinite 'hiring pause'

Last update: November 11, 2008 - 10:21 PM

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The University of Minnesota is imposing a systemwide indefinite "hiring pause" as a way to save money in a shaky economy.

Under the pause, only open positions deemed essential may be filled. The pause applies to all staff -- from faculty to administrative specialists to police officers; part-time student workers will not be affected, however.

In recent months, several colleges and universities have instituted "hiring freezes," while Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y., like the U, went with the "hiring pause."

"I use the term 'pause' intentionally," President Robert Bruininks wrote in a statement to staff. "At this time, this is a temporary action, taken in the face of financial uncertainty."

Before posting a job, managers are now required to explore whether they might reorganize or reassign duties. Before filling a job, managers must get university approval.

Jean Quam, interim dean for the College of Education and Human Development, said she's aware of one administrative position and two or three faculty positions open within her college.

She plans to "look very carefully" at every decision, but nonessential positions don't jump out at her, she said.

"It feels to me like we have cut to the bone over the years," Quam said. "Everybody is very thin."

The university fills about 2,500 positions a year, said spokesman Daniel Wolter, although many of those are internal hires and in this economy, fewer people might choose to leave.

The move "is certainly not to say we won't be hiring people," Wolter said. "Some positions are needed, particularly some faculty positions. The impact on students is going to be minimized."

The hiring pause will last at least through the academic year, Wolter said. In his message to staff, Bruininks said the state of the university's finances will become clearer with the state's revenue forecast in early December.

JENNA ROSS

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