Indiana University expanded its hiring review process for non-academic positions due to state and federal funding cuts effective July 28.
According to a press release, all hiring requests for appointed staff positions must adhere to a multi-level approval chain that involves “the appropriate senior human resource director, and/or University Admissions fiscal officer or vice chancellor for finance or regional chancellor, the unit’s vice chancellor or executive vice president and final approval from the university’s chief financial officer.”
Positions at IU already in the recruiting process will continue hiring as originally planned, but those that began the process after July 22 will go through the new multi-level approval chain.
The hiring process has changed in part because the Trump administration has terminated or frozen billions of dollars in federal grants and funding for universities and public schools. Indiana Gov. Mike Braun has also implemented an in-state tuition freeze, meaning for the 2025-26 and 2026-27 school year, the cost of tuition for in-state students will remain the same. Braun said this decision was made to help students and their families access affordable postsecondary education.
Some advocates worry that tuition freezes, especially when paired with public funding cuts, can lead to structural deficits that weaken the quality of education. Universities facing flat tuition revenue and budget shortfalls often respond with cost-cutting measures, including larger class sizes, reduced course offerings, fewer available majors and hiring freezes.
IU’s 2030 strategic plan outlines that only “mission-critical” positions will be created, and it will be more difficult for HR professionals and fiscal officers to create positions or to fill vacancies for non-academic positions.
IU’s new tightened hiring process may be an indicator of broader financial constraints to come. Some non-academic services at IU include housing, dining, IT, mental health resources, academic advising and career coaching.
