January 14, 2009
During the Board of Trustees' Executive and Compensation Committee today
in Knoxville, board members and I discussed potential budget reductions.
Earlier this week, campuses and institutes turned in preliminary plans
indicating various ways they might meet their budget reductions. Based
on those plans, I speculated a number of vacant, unfilled and filled
positions could be affected.
It is imperative you know that no decisions about potential layoffs have
been made. Of course, in the event positions need to be eliminated,
vacant jobs would be eliminated before filled positions. You may hear
specific numbers referenced in the media, but I urge everyone to have
patience as plans are being refined in preparation for the Board of
Trustees' meeting Feb. 26-27 in Memphis.
As I said earlier this week, we are committed to making you aware of the
decisions as soon as possible.
John D. Petersen
