Hiring and salary freezes are commonly being used by colleges and universities to control costs, according to a survey of 316 institutions conducted by CUPA-HR, an association of higher education human resource professionals. Unpaid furloughs and reductions in force are not currently being considered by the majority of respondents.
Most respondents indicated that the salary increase pool for the current fiscal year has not been reduced from what it was before the economic crisis. However, about 20 percent said they plan to reduce the increase pool percentage in the future. Survey respondents were also asked if their institutions were considering, among other things, delays in salary increases, wage freezes, paid time off in lieu of salary increases and reductions in the use of incentive bonus plans. (3/2)