Dear Colleagues,
As you know, the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted nearly every aspect of our university. Given the significant uncertainty around the operational and economic impacts that will follow the pandemic, we must be thoughtful, strategic and careful in how we manage our human resources. We also know that we must continue to be able to hire employees to ensure we are meeting our obligations and missions during this difficult time
To do this, we have established the following guiding principles for hiring until further notice. These principles apply to new hires, unfilled positions, and in-progress vacancies beginning April 17, 2020.
Hiring Guiding Principles
Units must demonstrate the financial ability to sustain the costs, given the high likelihood of reductions in funding from all funding sources. Central to the critical ongoing core activities driven by our missions with particular attention to our commitments to research and innovation, student access and learning, and public engagement locally and globally. Hiring to prioritize our net-revenue generating activities and/or areas where we have a comparative advantage as a university. Hiring to enhance e-learning, blended learning, and online delivery of our programs. Fostering the ongoing public engagement initiatives related to infectious diseases. Hiring to support essential functions for public safety, health care, and critical campus infrastructure. Focus on critical refills, rather than new positions, particularly in administrative positions.
Additional reviews and approvals will be required at both college and campus levels before initiating the hiring process. We will utilize the revised Hiring Request form for the review and approval processes. Illinois Human Resources will be in contact with your HR staff regarding these principles and associated processes.
Thank you for your understanding as we navigate this challenging time together.
Sincerely,
Robert J. Jones
Chancellor
