Brown University Enacts Hiring Freeze With Federal Funds At Risk

PROVIDENCE, RI — Brown University has imposed a temporary hiring freeze and other cost-saving measures amid threats of funding cuts from President Donald Trump's administration.

"Based on the uncertainty we now face from federal actions, we need to be more proactive in managing Brown’s expenditures," Provost Francis J. Doyle III and Executive Vice President Sarah Latham said in a joint letter. "Therefore, effective immediately, we are instituting a temporary staff hiring freeze. This freeze will remain in effect through the remainder of the 2025 fiscal year."

According to school officials, the freeze applies to all staff positions with any component of unrestricted funds. Brown University will also implement a mandatory salary freeze for members of the president’s cabinet and other administrators.

School officials said they will work with unit leaders to make determinations about staff positions that are currently posted and with searches nearing completion in the recruitment pipeline. An exemption process will be in place for positions that:

• If left vacant, would have significant adverse impact on critical academic operations, research, student services and administrative functions
• Are essential to ensure compliance with regulatory and legal requirements
• Support critical infrastructure, IT or other system maintenance
• Are required to ensure campus health and safety.

"We recognize that not filling positions will pose workload challenges," the letter read. "We will continue to use current policies and processes to provide additional compensation to staff who are required to assume temporary additional duties that are beyond the scope of their normal job responsibilities for specified periods of time."

Brown University will also require all departments to reduce discretionary spending, which includes meals, catering, events, supplies and non-essential travel. University officials said the restrictions are needed to continue the mission of teaching and research.

Brown University is among 60 colleges and universities around the country that received warnings from Education Secretary Linda McMahon Monday that they could face penalties under the Civil Rights Act if they fail to protect Jewish students from antisemitism during pro-Palestinian campus protests.

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