FROM: President Stuart Rabinowitz and Provost and Senior Vice President Herman Berliner

When faced with the coronavirus pandemic, the University’s first priority was the safety and security of our students, our employees and our community. To that end, we accelerated the start of spring break to give faculty an opportunity to prepare for online teaching; students were moved from residential housing; and employees moved to a combination of remote and on-campus work in accordance with all federal and state guidelines.

The coronavirus pandemic will have significant financial consequences for universities, both short term and, in many cases, long term. This is particularly true for universities in states that are subject to mandatory closure like New York. While this is a very disappointing and difficult time, Hofstra, as a result of the significant fundraising and prudent financial policy over the last twenty years, is in a better position to weather the storm than many institutions. Nevertheless, the consequences will be significant and cannot be fully understood or calculated at this time.

Universities with greater resources than Hofstra are publicly taking significant steps today to protect their financial and academic strength and to invest in their core priorities. Hofstra University must do so as well. The purpose of this memorandum is to describe cost-cutting strategies we ask the Hofstra community to implement immediately. Some departments will need to take cost-cutting steps beyond those mentioned, as they are impacted more directly and significantly by the economic factors unfolding. And as discussed with the Vice Presidents and the Deans, we all understand that if the severe economic downturn persists additional steps will be required.

We ask that everyone adhere to the attached list for the foreseeable future.

Strategies to Reduce Nonessential Expenses

Travel Ban
Business travel, regardless of funding source, shall be eliminated at this time to reduce the spread of COVID-19. When safe travel resumes, only essential travel will be permitted and all steps should be taken to attend meetings remotely whenever possible.

Business Entertainment
All University reimbursed business entertainment must have a clear and essential business purpose which benefits the University and is essential in the current environment. In most cases, business entertainment should be avoided at this time. The University’s travel and entertainment policies will be strictly adhered to and only essential entertainment will be reimbursed.

Office Furniture and Equipment
With the exception of approved technology equipment required to work remotely, no purchases of furniture and equipment should be made at this time. Procurement Services and IT are available to assist when prior approval to purchase has been obtained.

Hiring Freeze
In order to preserve financial flexibility, a hiring freeze has been placed on all open positions. In rare cases and only for an essential position required, an exception may be approved by the President.

Hourly and Student Employees
With the exception of federal work-study students, payments for hourly employees and student workers should be avoided for all but essential workers.

Consultants
The use of consultants at this time should be avoided. Ongoing commitments should be carefully reviewed and in most cases delayed. Exceptions, if any, and only for activities required to operate during the pandemic will require approval of the President.

Print Materials
Electronic materials should be used wherever possible, avoiding the costs and staff exposure required to print materials.

Utilities
All efforts will be made to reduce utility costs while campus is subject to mandatory closure and as most buildings remain closed.

Events
No events may be planned or contracted, either on-campus or offsite at this time. Contracts for such events are being held, pending federal and state decisions regarding social distancing and assessment of the need for the event.

Capital Projects
Capital Projects are currently on hold as state restrictions prohibit moving forward. All planned capital projects will be reevaluated to determine if and when they will proceed.