President Bailey reinstitutes hiring freezeOct. 22, 2003 KALAMAZOO -- Dr. Judith I. Bailey, president of Western Michigan University, issued an open letter to the university's faculty and staff this afternoon regarding the continuing budget crisis in Michigan. In her message, Bailey announced a new hiring freeze, effective immediately. The complete text of the president's message follows. Dear Colleagues: You've undoubtedly heard news reports over the past week about the dire budget issues Michigan faces for the 2004 fiscal year (2003-'04 academic year). On Oct.14, the state announced an estimated budget shortfall of $898 million. On Oct. 20, the Citizens Research Council of Michigan projected a continuing budget deficit into FY 2005 of approximately $1 billion. After a summer of painful lay-offs and budget cuts, I deeply
regret having to raise the prospect of even more difficult times
ahead. Since the reductions implemented this summer, you have
all worked I cannot stress enough how important it is that we start now to prepare for coming budget cuts. Everything we do now will prepare us to deal with the realities of the future. Our goal must be to both preserve our university's quality and keep in place the caring and committed work force that makes this institution run. Judith I. Bailey |
WMU News http://www.wmich.edu/wmu/news |