A hiring freeze is in effect for all University divisions, colleges and units through the end of the fiscal year, June 30, 2024. This means:
- In December 2023, active requisitions (job postings) in the Talent applicant tracking system were placed on hold by the Division of Human Resources, except for adjunct and limited-term adjunct positions, and positions that are grant funded.
- Offer letters submitted in Talent by the end of day on Dec. 18, 2023, were approved by the Division of Human Resources. Offers of employment, either verbal or written, can no longer be extended unless they meet the exceptions guidance (more information below).
- Requisitions placed on hold should be closed out by units unless they meet the exceptions guidance (more information below).
- Requisition requests will not be approved by the Division of Human Resources unless they meet the exceptions guidance (more information below).
Exceptions - Hiring Freeze
Please contact the Senior HR Partner for your college/division to discuss exception needs and receive individualized support or ask questions regarding specific scenarios.
Exempt
- Graduate assistants/associates.
- Graduate and undergraduate student workers.
- Adjunct and limited-term adjunct positions.
- Positions that are 50% or more funded from sponsored projects or restricted funding (more information in FAQ below).
Exceptions Requiring Approval
- SVPs may grant approval for colleges/divisions to replace 25% of salary and ERE from attrition (including retirement).
- President Robbins may grant an exception approval to:
- Replace an SVP position.
- Address health, safety or legal risks.
- Hire administrator positions (as defined in the University Handbook for Appointed Personnel).
- The interim Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost may grant approval for tenured or tenure-eligible positions.
How to Request Exception Approval
SVPs manage exceptions for their colleges/divisions. Please follow the guidance distributed to your teams as each college/division may have its own internal process.
Exceptions will be reported and documented for Human Resources through the normal requisition request (Talent system) and transaction (UAccess system) processes. SVPs or their designees will be added as an approver step in these processes.
The Recruitment/Talent Acquisition or Workforce System teams will reach out if there is something missing on a request.
New Position Control Number (PCN) requests do not need to demonstrate SVP approval prior to submissions. But please include as much funding information in the transaction as possible (including funding account), and only submit requests for immediate position needs.
Frequently Asked Questions - Hiring Freeze
General
Units are asked to update current applicant pools, including communicating with applicants they have already engaged with. Please use the following language as a template for communications.
We are sorry to inform you that the search for <TITLE> has been placed on hold due to the University's hiring freeze. We acknowledge the time and effort you have invested in the application process and sincerely appreciate your interest. We will notify you when we have more information on the status of this position.
For support managing your applicant pools and requisitions in Talent, please email talent@arizona.edu.
Yes, the UAGC job postings on Workday are included in the hiring freeze.
Please submit a Human Resources JIRA ticket to contact UAGC for guidance on Associate Faculty.
Updated - Jan. 29, 2024
Although there may be instances where staffing from temp agencies is appropriate, usage is not intended to be a substitute for vacated positions.
The Senior HR Partner for your college or division is available for individualized support for specific staffing scenarios. SVPs need to approve an exception to the usage of temp agencies.
About Exceptions
Added - Jan. 2, 2024
Units can remove the hold in Talent so that the requisition is viewable again to candidates. For assistance, contact talent@arizona.edu.
Added - Jan. 17, 2024
Restricted funding sources include externally funded gifts, grants, contracts and awards. The specific fund groups included in the exemption are:
- AG-Agency
- DR-Designated Service Centers
- EN-Endowment
- LN-Loan
- OR-Other Restricted
- SP-Sponsored Projects
Sub-Fund Groups Within DE-Designated
- BAACS-Banner Affiliation Agreement Clinic Services
- BAAF-Banner Academic Funds Flow
- BANSUP-Banner Supplemental Agreements
- BAPT-Banner Pass-Through
- BCME-Banner Continuing Medical Education
- MEDPRG-Medical Education and Residency Program
Added - Jan. 17, 2024
TRIF is not considered a restricted fund. However, the interim Senior Vice President for Research and Innovation may approve hires and large expenditures funded solely through TRIF.
Added - Jan. 17, 2024
Colleges/Divisions can use up to 25% of vacancy savings to make critical hires. The exception is calculated by taking 25% of the vacancy savings generated from separations that occurred after July 1, 2023.
Critical hires must be approved by the SVP. Each SVP may develop their own process for reviewing and approving those hires.
Added - Jan. 17, 2024
Units may move forward with hires directly related to a previously approved start-up or retention offer. These hires must be approved by the SVP.
Added - Jan. 26, 2024
Situations outside of the scenarios listed in the “Exempt” category must follow the exceptions process (as outlined by your college/division SVP) to move forward while the freeze is in effect.
Do you need more assistance?
- Staff hiring scenarios: Senior HR Partner
- Faculty hiring scenarios: Office of the Provost
- Graduate assistant/associate hiring scenarios: Graduate College
- Managing your requisition in Talent: Main Campus | University of Arizona Health Sciences