HIRING FREEZE JOLTS UL
by Claire Taylor and Marsha Sills - The Daily Advertiser (excerpt)

Gov. Bobby Jindal's hiring freeze is raising concerns at some state agencies in Lafayette, including UL Lafayette and University Medical Center.

Jindal signed an executive order last week implementing a hiring freeze throughout state government to save $25 million. The hiring freeze is effective through June 30, said Michael DiResto, director of communication with the commissioner of administration's office.

Commissioner of Admini- stration Angele Davis is working with department heads and does not forsee problems with a process for granting hiring freeze exemptions if they are deemed justified, DiResto said.

But some state officials said the freeze already is causing headaches.

Colleges and universities are recruiting faculty for the fall 2008 semester and need to be able to finalize offers to compete with other institutions, Commissioner of Higher Education E. Joseph Savoie said.

"There's a lot of angst because deans and department heads are recruiting new faculty and they're trying to make commitments. They're very nervous about that," he said.