MOORHEAD, Minn. -- Minnesota State University Moorhead has imposed a hiring freeze as it deals with a $3.2 million budget deficit.
University President Edna Szymanski hosted three townhall meetings Wednesday to inform the campus about the shortfall projected for the 2009-10 academic year.
The deficit is $300,000 higher than officials estimated in August because MSUM's full-time enrollment declined by nearly 1 percent this fall, resulting in less tuition revenue.
To prepare for the shortfall, MSUM initiated a hiring freeze on most positions. It means the school might leave up to 40 faculty positions unfilled this year.
But Szymanski says she will fill certain positions that can increase revenue and jobs that are supported by student fees. A few faculty positions that are critical for degree programs will also be filled.
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
