In an email sent Sept. 10 to faculty and staff, Interim University President Paul Mahoney called on University faculty and staff to reduce expenses amid a challenging economic landscape. The message was signed by Interim Provost Brie Gertler, Mitch Rosner, chief executive officer of U.Va. Health and executive vice president for health affairs, and Jennifer Wagner Davis, executive vice president and chief operating officer.
“Along with universities across the country, we continue to face significant financial pressures and uncertainty in the new fiscal and academic year,” the email said.
The measures outlined by Mahoney include limiting discretionary spending, maintaining stricter hiring reviews and deferring several large-scale construction projects.
At a Board of Visitors Finance Committee meeting in early September, administrators said the University is in a good fiscal position, but Davis also noted that her team has spent a significant amount of time focusing on conservative measures to maintain the University’s financial security.
According to the message, faculty and staff are expected to restrict non-essential travel and purchases, while new faculty and staff hires must be approved by a dean or vice president. Promotions and reclassifications outside of the normal cycle remain suspended except in cases of executive-level approval.
The University also delayed approximately $329 million in capital spending in June, following a unanimous vote by the Board to defer 12 projects included in the Major Capital Plan, including two facilities at the College at Wise.
The email said the University will continue reviewing construction and renovation projects to determine which can be postponed without major disruption.
They also warned that a potential federal government shutdown at the end of September could significantly disrupt research funding. The email continues to say that the Office of the Vice President for Research is preparing guidance for faculty and staff on how to manage possible funding delays.
This is not the first time the University has moved to tighten its budget in response to external pressures. Before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the University froze hiring and postponed major projects in 2020.
“U.Va. has weathered uncertainty before, and we have emerged stronger from many challenges,” the email said. “This is a powerful testament to the strength of our University and to the dedication each of you brings to your work every day.”
While the University leaders did not provide a timeline for when the current measures may be lifted, they emphasized that the policies will remain in place as economic conditions are monitored. The email said that those with questions or concerns should reach out to their dean, vice president or area leader.
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