The dust has yet to settle from what Governor Doyle is calling the worst budget deficit in state history. University campuses are bracing for a possible hiring and construction freeze.
UW-Superior Chancellor Julius Erlenbach expects universities to get hit with a one-two punch: A $346-million deficit from the current budget and then a $5-6 billion deficit in the next two-year budget. With 87-percent of his campuses budget spent on faculty and staff, Erlenbach doesnâ??t expect to be able to fill all their positions. (Fifth item.)
â??It is very much case-by-case,â? says Erlenbach. â??We are still in the process of making hires but as things continue to unfold given where things are going we may have to put a freeze on future hires. I donâ??t know.â?