Message from the Associate Vice-President and Director of Extension
I hope everyone had an enjoyable break and took some time to decompress over the holidays. The last we left, a hiring freeze was imposed, and a new budgeting process was implemented. I can only tell you what I know and what we are doing to help update everyone on where Extension stands.
I know we are part of the hiring freeze, and all Extension state-funded positions are frozen. Details can be found in the January 3 email from senior leadership here. I know we have a few positions where verbal or written offers were extended but not signed, and they, too, are frozen. That’s what we know.
What are we doing? We are working with ALVSCE leadership to request that Extension be removed from the current hiring freeze. This is a team effort, as we contend that Extension should have never been part of the freeze since we have a separate state budget line and we need to move forward with our hires to meet our mission. As for travel, please continue to travel as needed. I am confident that Extension professionals are always thrifty in spending on food, travel, and meetings – I ask that you continue to be. I understand how frustrating this is for many of you, and I assure you we are doing what we can to get the hiring process in Extension moving forward again.
I ask for patience, even though I know we don’t have time; I ask for understanding, even though we don’t have all the answers; and I ask for your support and confidence that the state Extension office and ALVSCE are doing their best to continue our support of our staff, faculty, and stakeholders throughout the state. Circumstances can change quickly, and I will send out any changes as soon as I have confirmation.
