Hiring freeze allows ‘critical’ hires

A 6.4 percent reduction proposal in state appropriations was announced last week. And with the announcement, some decisions had to be made.

"I am directing an immediate freeze on new staff and faculty hires," said President Doug Whitlock in an address to the university.

Whitlock said a blanket policy on a hiring freeze is a "slippery kind of slope" because of the unforeseeable future of retirements and other needs for faculty.

But, he said, he hopes the cuts can be made solely through retirements and attrition.

"When you find yourself in a hole, the first thing you have to do is stop digging," Whitlock said.

Whitlock said this approach to dealing with cuts is unavoidable because more than 70 percent of the budget is dedicated to salaries and other faculty needs.

The last time Eastern prepared for a staff reduction was 2007, when a 4 percent cut was expected but only a 2 percent cut was actually made. Therefore making this the largest cut Eastern has ever prepared for.

Eastern has accumulated 16.4 percent in cuts since 2007. This year's cut is projected for the 2012-2013 year with no additional cut for the 2013-2014.

When looking at the level of cuts, Whitlock said he has one priority in mind.

"We must protect our ability to teach," Whitlock said.

In order to stay in line with principle, Whitlock said, a plan has been laid out for "critical hires."

Open positions across the university are being looked at on a "critical" basis. Each department is being asked to "make their case" for each position.

If the Dean decides the position is critical, the question of a search or hire will be brought forward.

Provost Janna Vice said what determines a "critical" faculty position depends on various factors including the rate of enrollment in the department, availability of a niche area, leadership and the ability of the faculty to meet the needs of the students.

The last area, Vice said, is largely subjective.

Another important factor in hiring is if and how Eastern is meeting accreditation needs in terms of faculty with expertise.

"It is important for our students for Eastern to meet these various accreditations," Vice said.

According to the Academic Affairs' steps regarding open searches during the hiring freeze, each Dean must not make offers of employment until approvals are given.

"We want to be a good employer," Vice said. "So, we need to see if each position is one we must go ahead with, one we can fill in another way or one we are putting on hold for now."

One of the open searches being placed on hold is Dean of Libraries, where this posting has closed and then was placed on hold.

The other open position that is "currently being looked at" is the Dean of Health Sciences, Vice said, for which a search has not yet begun.

Under Academic Affairs, all chair positions have been filled, Vice said.

The open positions, Dean of Libraries and Dean of Health Sciences, are currently being filled by "excellent interims" Vice said.

Whitlock said he predicts with this level of cuts, one possible solution is to rely more on part-time faculty.

"Layoffs are an absolute last alternative," Whitlock said.

Final budgets will not be prepared until April and if approved in June, will not be effective until July, Whitlock said.

But, he remains positive while considering the rest of state government is currently reaching cuts of up to 25 percent.

"I feel fortunate," Whitlock said. "I feel the governor realizes the importance of higher education. He sees us as part of the solution, an investment. And we work so hard to be worthy of that trust."