University system imposes hiring freeze

The University System of Maryland has imposed a hiring freeze on its 11 schools as it braces for state budget cuts amid a floundering economy, said Chancellor William “Brit” Kirwan.

The freeze is the first since 2002, when the system was forced to fire hundreds of employees. This year, the state is expecting a shortfall of more than $400 million as the struggling economy combines with the largest tax increases in the state’s history. Kirwan said he expects to hear within a week how much money the system will lose.