"These (economic) events underscore the importance of being prepared so we can continue to foster academic excellence and remain a strong institution, now and in the long run," McDavis wrote in an e-mail to all faculty and staff. "This initiative will allow us to preserve funds so that we can strategically respond to potential future state budget cuts or other negative effects caused by external economic factors."

Emphasizing that Ohio University's educational mission is paramount, McDavis said faculty searches that are already in progress or have received prior approval from Executive Vice President and Provost Kathy Krendl may move forward. Other staff positions for which the university placed advertisements on or before Sept. 19 also may proceed.

All other positions are subject to the freeze. Planning unit heads will receive information later this week on how to proceed if they consider open positions in their units to be critical to the university's ability to implement key Vision Ohio first-year initiatives, recruit and retain students, or provide a safe, healthy environment. Units may request exemptions for mission-critical positions in these areas, he said.

Last week, Gov. Ted Strickland announced $540 million in adjustments to the state's fiscal 2009 budget, but largely spared higher and k-12 education. The move followed $733 million in state budget adjustments announced in January.

Click here to view the full text of the president's memo.

-- From staff reports