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UM System Puts Freeze on Hiring COLUMBIA, MO (KBIA) - Despite past comments from university officials, it looks as if the economy is negatively affecting the University of Missouri System. In a letter released today, President Gary Forsee says there is a system-wide hiring freeze due to the economic crisis. It affects all positions on the four campuses and starts immediately. This includes open positions and searches that are currently underway. Betsy Rodriguez is the Vice President of Human Resources for UM System. She says this is a critical step to take in case the economy gets worse.

"It's to make sure that we can to continue to prepare students for their edication, we can continue our research enterprise and all the important community activities that we do. We think that education is a critical investment that we make in an economy that we're in. Higher education is a critical component of that. We want to be able to continue to provide the services that we do."

Rodriguez says she doesn't know how long the freeze will be in place, but says she hopes it isn't for too long. President Forsee also wrote that chancellors and staff are to review and prioritize department costs.
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