Hiring freeze affects those seeking employment by WSU

Due to worsening economic conditions, both nationally and regionally, coupled with harsh budget cuts at Washington State University, a hiring freeze enacted by President Elson S. Floyd in early April continues to affect students and individuals seeking employment by the University.

The state of Washington is currently facing a $5 billion deficit for the two-year budget. Gov. Christine Gregoire says this could increase to $6 billion if the economy continues to deteriorate. Gregoire has asked the state’s colleges and universities to prepare for a 20 percent budget cut, or $600 million over the next two years.

Gregoire ordered all Washington state colleges and universities to implement a hiring freeze while simultaneously reducing travel and equipment expenses. Shawn Hoch, Associate Director of Culinary Operations, said, “It was just announced that $47 million is being cut from the University’s budget.” The hiring freeze, coupled with drastic budget cuts, has caused all University staff and faculty to feel the effects of a worsening economy.

President Floyd’s hiring freeze mirrored announcements made in early August by Gregoire. The governor announced that a statewide hiring freeze would be implemented in order to meet new budget demands. Joan S. King, Executive Director of Budgeting and Planning said, “The hiring freeze was a good idea in order to slow spending and prepare us for the upcoming budget cut. It was a prudent step.”

The president wrote an e-mail to WSU chancellors and vice presidents in April explaining his decision to enact the freeze. According to Washington State University’s The Daily Evergreen, Floyd wrote in part, “Given an increasingly uncertain financial future for the state and the nation, it is my desire to slow significantly the pace of administrative and professional hiring within WSU.” Floyd further advised that the Budget Office should be consulted before posting vacant positions and awarding promotions of increases in salary.

As a result, WSU has limited its staff recruitment efforts to allow only for the replacement of positions deemed essential to university operations.

Matthew A. Skinner, Associate Budget Director, said that 215 fewer people were hired during May and Dec. 2008 as compared to the same period in 2007. This means that there were nearly 50 percent fewer positions filled. Forty-nine fewer faculty members were hired as compared to the previous year, said Skinner.

King acknowledges that the University’s hiring has been reduced as a result of the freeze, but she said, “Student workers have been exempted from the freeze; we hired hundreds of students, for instance, for the re-opening of the CUB.” Skinner added, “We don’t anticipate a slowdown in the number of student positions.”

“The University relies on student employees; our operations would be seriously hindered without them,” said Hoch. Even though students are exempt from the hiring freeze, they are still feeling the effects of the budget cuts.

The cuts are affecting hourly employees and the amount of hours they are given each week. “I’m limited to only working 10 hours a week,” Madeline V. Verochio said. Verochio is a senior in political science and is currently employed as a clerical assistant with University Relations. “I couldn’t work more, even if I was needed, and there have been times that I was, but I couldn’t because of the strict budget limitations,” said Verochio.

In order to better prepare for the upcoming budget cuts, Floyd and Provost and Executive Vice President Warwick M. Bayly have requested that all university deans, vice presidents and chancellors prepare a 12 percent and 18 percent budget reduction scenario. The budget cuts are aimed at reducing communication expenditures, increases in salaries and hiring new faculty and staff.

Joan S. King – Executive Director of Budget and Planning
(509) 335-9681

Matthew A. Skinner – Associate Director of Budget
(509) 335-1836

Shawn Hoch – Associate Director of Culinary Options
(509) 335-8488