UNT working to reduce fiscal year 2002-03 budget by $8 million

Almost all faculty and staff positions currently open at UNT will remain unfilled following a hiring freeze directive handed down by President Norval Pohl late last month.

The freeze comes as part of the university's plan to trim 7 percent of the current fiscal year's budget. Cutbacks were ordered by the state in late January to help combat a projected $1.8 billion deficit in the state budget.

"As we work to pare down our budgets, I remain committed to providing our students with a high-quality education and minimizing the impact of budget cuts on the basic services provided by our university," Pohl said in a notice to all UNT employees following the state's orders for widespread cuts.

Pohl says he does not foresee a reduction in currently employed staff and faculty.

The freeze affects nearly all regular, retirement-eligible full- and part-time positions and non-student hourly positions, with the exception of grant-funded positions. The Human Resources Department recalled all currently posted staff positions Jan. 28.

"The provost is working with the deans of our colleges and schools to set the criteria and procedures to be used in filling faculty positions," Pohl says. "Only the most critical current and future faculty and staff positions will be posted and filled."

Departments with critical staff vacancies may submit justification to fill those positions through the appropriate channels to the vice president responsible for their area and for individual review by Pohl.

In addition, Pohl asked the university community to greatly reduce travel expenses.

"As we work to trim our current budgets by approximately $8 million, I will continue to share information about the steps we must take to meet our commitment to the state," Pohl says.

BY MICHELLE HALE mhale@unt.edu

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• Enrollment up 6.8 percent over last spring
• UNT mathematics professors find solution to 50-year-old math problem
• Book drive for Thailand community expanded to include books for adults
• 2002-03 Fact Book available online
• Enterprise Information System project implementation under way
• Staff Council chair gives top 10 reasons why UNT is a great place to work
• Black History Month under way at UNT

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