University Human Resources (UHR) worked with college/unit HR leaders to establish a process for reviewing cost-saving measures that directly impact staff and faculty. First, the process offers each dean or VP a number of potential actions to consider, including:

• Hiring freezes
• Annual salary freeze increases
• Salary reductions
• Temporary or permanent layoffs for Merit staff
• Temporary or permanent furloughs for Professional and Scientific staff

Proposing, reviewing, and implementing cost-saving options prioritizes unit-level decision-making and university-wide consistency and coordination. Information flows as follows:

1. College/unit senior HR leaders share a number of cost-saving options with area leaders for consideration.
2. Collegiate plans with faculty impact are shared with the Office of the Provost for review and then with UHR. Administrative unit plans go directly to UHR. Then, subject-matter experts conduct an initial review.
3. All plans go to the HR Employment Coordination Committee for review to make sure HR policies and procedures, as well as other best practices are followed.
4. Fully reviewed plans are shared with the Iowa Board of Regents.
5. Implementation and internal communication begin.

Download a chart summarizing the information-flow process with additional review criteria.