IRONTON, Ohio -- Confronting a "grim" budget outlook and volatile market, Ohio University trustees today continued to fine-tune finances and encouraged students and alumni to step up advocacy activities.

The Athens campus is facing the possibility of a $2.7 million base budget cut this fiscal year because of state revenue shortfalls. In the upcoming fiscal year, tuition caps, a reduced base budget, reduction in some areas of state support and minimal increases in others mean "very challenging times ahead of us," Glidden said.

In order to avoid potential layoffs while absorbing state budget cuts, the university will impose a "soft" hiring freeze beginning Monday, Glidden said after the meeting. "If we start early, we hope to avoid layoffs through attrition," Glidden said. "We want to protect our people as best possible, but there are very few options remaining as sources of operating funds, which is where we are hurting."

Classified, contract and administrative staff positions will be subject to the freeze initially, Glidden said. Faculty positions will not be affected yet.

"As of Monday, any posted position that is not yet filled will be frozen," Glidden said. Future vacancies will not be posted, although exceptional cases may be presented to a committee composed of the university's Provost, Vice President for Administration, Executive Officer for Institutional Equity and Legal Counsel. However, "we will ask people to make hard judgments in their own units first," Glidden added.

Trustees approved refinancing 1993 General Receipts Bonds, which were issued to fund construction of the New South Green, Convocation Center, and Ping Center. By taking advantage of low borrowing rates, the university will save about $1.393 million on the $51,335,000 issue.

Bond Anticipation Notes of $14,620,000 were also approved by trustees to finance planning costs for construction of the University Center, completion of the Lecture Hall Facility, acquisition of the Pickerington Center, and expansion of the Avionics Engineering Center.

In other business, trustees approved the following:

• Changing the name of the Department of Classics to the Department of Classics and World Religion. Faculty from the Department of Philosophy who teach courses in non-western cultures and religion will relocate to the Department of Classics. The transfer will take place in July 2003.

• Hiring consultants to proceed with state-funded basic renovations projects. About $6,505,546 will be directed to more than 20 projects on the Athens campus and five regional campuses. (See attachment for details).

• Developing plans for $1,113,097 in renovations to Brasee Hall on the Lancaster Campus.

• Prepare plans for improving the Science and Fine Arts facilities on the Eastern Campus: $725,213 has been allocated for the project.

• Naming the renovated soccer facility "Chessa Field" in honor of the daughter of Scott and Christa Blower. Scott Blower is the university's grounds supervisor for the Athletics and West Green grounds and Christa Beegle Blower is a 1985 graduate of Ohio University. The couple recently made the largest private gift in the university's history to women's athletics.