UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — As the University continues to take steps to balance its budget — which has been impacted by significant inflation, flat state funding for a third consecutive year, tuition freezes in three of the last four years, and enrollment and revenue pressures at least partially due to the pandemic — it is implementing a strategic hiring freeze effective Aug. 1 through at least summer 2023. However, searches to fill critical roles will still move forward as Penn State will continue to hire for positions that support the University in important ways.
This includes positions needed for safety, student success and compliance, among others. This strategic hiring freeze is one tactic among many being taken to help meet the objective of a balanced budget by the summer of 2025, which requires the University to save an estimated $250 million. To help meet this goal, in addition to the strategic hiring freeze, the University is instituting a 3% budget rescission for the 2022-23 fiscal year, which is expected to generate cost savings of approximately $46.2 million.
Penn State continues to prioritize its people and operating as a leading-edge public land-grant research university. As such, both expense reduction and revenue enhancement strategies will be necessary to help fund key strategic initiatives as well as invest back in employees.
The temporary strategic hiring freeze does not apply to students, graduate assistantships or positions that are fully funded by external grants or contracts.
Current searches to fill open positions will need to be paused with some exceptions for critical positions. Hiring managers with an open position that they believe is critical should discuss the position, unit needs and budget with their unit leader and Human Resources representative.