Ohio State has implemented a selective hiring freeze as a result of the most recent budget cuts by the state government.

“The university has instituted a selective hiring freeze at this time because of the state’s reduction in our state share of instruction for the remainder of the current fiscal year, which ends June 30,” said Larry Lewellen, vice president of Human Resources.

The main objective of the freeze is to ensure that the cut in funding will not compromise the students’ education and safety.

“The hiring freeze will generate cash to maintain all services and classes in the face of those cuts and will serve as a reminder to carefully gauge staffing commitments as we enter the next fiscal year,” Lewellen said.

The freeze began on April 16 and will affect jobs posted after that date, Lewellen said. However, exemptions from the freeze include all instructional positions, health and safety personnel and people funded on grants and contracts.

Other exceptions include positions that are necessary to support mandated activities as well as positions that are necessary to generate revenue.

An exemption process is also in place, Lewellen said. An exemption occurs when a department can petition to fill any position that is critical for student services.

“The freeze is not intended to affect student employees,” Lewellen said.

According to a memo from Provost Ed Ray, the hiring freeze applies to the Columbus campus only. The state separately funds the regional campuses, which are responsible for their own budgeting.

“Clearly, this is one of the most difficult budget cycles we have faced in many years,” Lewellen said.

It is too early to know if the university will eliminate positions, Lewellen said.

OSU is not the only university in Ohio under financial constraints.

Bowling Green State University instituted a hiring freeze from April 20 through at least the end of the current fiscal year, June 30, said Sidney A. Ribeau, president of BGSU.

Ohio University is having financial problems with some departments being more cautious than others, but it is not officially in a hiring freeze, said Susan Sheppard, employment services specialist for OU.

The freeze at OSU is expected to last until June 30 and will be re-evaluated at that time depending on the budget situation.