Messages from the Executive Vice President

May 23, 2011

Hiring Plans

The financial situation facing the State and the University creates the need to use even tighter controls over expenditures than exist at present. I am therefore directing that a more stringent position review process be implemented immediately.

Specifically, the Health Center Position Review Committee, HCPRC, will be established to evaluate proposed personnel actions and make a determination as to whether they may proceed. This committee does not replace current procedures for approval of new positions. Rather, it is an additional level of scrutiny. Every effort will be made to streamline the process.

The HCPRC will be comprised of Ms. Carolle Andrews, Dr. Marja Hurley, Dr. Casey Jacob, Dr. Marc Lalande, Dr. Michael Summerer, Dr. Adam Silverman, and Dr. Scott Wetstone. Dr. Wetstone will be the point person.

Specifically, the HCPRC will review all requests to refill existing positions or fill new positions. Its purview will include both full and part-time positions. It will also review requests to re-hire retirees.

The members of the HCPRC are fully aware of the time-sensitivity of personnel actions and are committed to responding to requests expeditiously. As soon as the HCPRC establishes the information it will require, you can begin sending your positions for review. This review may occur while you are conducting a search, or while you are preparing an offer, but must occur before an offer is made.

In light of our current fiscal situation, I would ask that you forward to the HCPRC (via Dr. Wetstone) only those personnel actions deemed to be essential. Offers of employment approved on or before the date of this memorandum will be honored and do not need to be sent. Beyond that, however, most positions will need to remain vacant while the Health Center resolves its projected operating deficits.

Further instructions and guidelines on submitting hiring requests to the HCPRC will be forthcoming.

We all recognize that our State is undergoing a challenging period from which the Health Center is not immune. I am confident, however, that with the cooperation of the Health Center community, we can work our way through this situation in a manner that allows us to fulfill our missions of clinical care, teaching, and research, at the highest possible level of quality. Thanks for your help.

Cato T. Laurencin, M.D., Ph.D.
Vice President for Health Affairs
Dean, UConn School of Medicine