Budget Update Follow-up Regarding Hiring

To: Deans, Directors, and Department Heads
From: Interim Chancellor Jan Simek

This memo is a follow-up to the message UT President John Petersen sent yesterday regarding a mandatory hiring freeze as one of several measures to reduce spending in preparation for the next anticipated budget reductions.  

First I would like to assure you that much of what Dr. Petersen outlined is already in effect on the Knoxville campus.

Effective immediately, the campus has implemented an administrative review of all requests to search for faculty and staff exempt and non-exempt positions. I will be responsible for seeking the approval from system administration as an extension of the current request to search process for all campus E&G accounts.

I am requesting that all units consider carefully their need for positions for which a search is currently under way. If you determine that your search should proceed, please forward a memo with justification about how it fills a critical need for your department to the provost or your vice chancellor. If you are close to concluding a search and making an offer, please submit the information as soon as possible to avoid any delay in the process.

If you decide to discontinue the search, please notify the employment office in human resources.

I will work closely with the president to determine if the position can be filled. I am confident that this additional review will not result in any significant delay in meeting the critical needs of the university.

Thank you for your cooperation during this challenging time for the university.

Posted December 10, 2008