Memo to Campus Community about Current Economic Environment
TO: Campus Community
FROM: Robert N. Shelton, Meredith Hay and Joel Valdez
RE: Immediate Action Required due to the Current Economic Environment
The severe economic downturn in our country, state and the city of Tucson has consequences radiating throughout our communities. During these volatile times, it is very important to continue as best we can with the business of The University of Arizona: education, research, creative inquiry and community engagement.
It is always in the University's best interest to spend our state funds in the wisest possible manner. Our present fiscal environment requires us to be especially diligent in using our state funds for mission-critical purposes. We have identified the measures described below as necessary steps we must enact at this time. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding as we seek ways to respond to potential budget reductions.
Operating Expenditure Review
In an effort to scrutinize carefully the commitment and expenditure of scarce General Fund resources, Gov. Napolitano asked that, beginning Oct. 8, state agencies submit for review all General Fund potential contracts, contract renewals, contract extensions, purchases and expenditures from existing contracts in advance of their execution. The threshold amount for review is $50,000 or above.
Although the three universities are not state agencies, the UA adopts the following policy, consonant with our desire to spend state funds in the most prudent manner possible.
Effective immediately, for contracts or expenditures of $50,000 or more on state funds, departments must submit a request for review and approval to either the Executive Vice President and Provost or the Senior Vice President for Business Affairs. This applies to all potential contracts, contract renewals, contract extensions and purchases and expenditures from existing contracts that are expected to total more than $50,000 on state funds in FY 2009.
The Expenditure and Procurement Authorization form will be available on the UA Procurement & Contracting Web site (http://www.pacs.arizona.edu/) to facilitate processing of these requests. The President, Executive Vice President and Provost and the Senior Vice President for Business Affairs will review requests for units reporting to them.
Hiring Freeze
Effective immediately and until further notice there is a hiring freeze in place for all positions funded by state or locally allocated sources. The state's economic condition and potential resulting financial burdens that the University will likely face makes this a critical and timely action to be taken. Please be assured that this freeze will not impact funding for the spring class offerings. Questions related to the freeze should be directed to the appropriate executive levels.
Details of the hiring freeze are still being finalized, and additional information will be provided next week to the campus community.
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