The New School is undergoing a university-wide staff hiring freeze as it looks toward major structural changes in the face of persistent financial trouble.

The university implemented and announced the freeze to staff on Aug. 20. It applies to staff positions that are currently vacant or approved but not yet filled. It does not apply to faculty positions.

Vice President of University Communications Amy Malsin said as of Oct. 3 she does not have an exact figure for the number of positions impacted yet.

“This decision, while difficult, reflects our intention to navigate current challenges with thoughtfulness — not as a crisis response, but as a strategic step,” Vice President for Human Resources Sonya Williams said in an email announcing the freeze. 

According to a statement from Merrie Snead, associate director of communications, “The hiring freeze will be in place for the foreseeable future until our finances are stabilized.”

The university declined a request for an interview with Francisco Pineda, executive vice president for business and operations and chief operating officer.

The pause in hiring comes as the school expects an operating deficit similar in size to last year’s projected $30 million deficit. The move is expected to produce savings of $2.5 million for fiscal year 2026, according to meeting minutes from the Financial Transparency Committee.

The freeze was implemented while Summer Working Groups develops a plan for the university’s future, according to the university’s statement. 

The Summer Working Groups is a collective of staff tasked with brainstorming solutions for a variety of university-wide issues, including financial challenges. They presented their recommendations in a staff-and-faculty-only meeting on Sept. 29. 

Hiring freezes are an increasingly common cost-saving tool implemented by universities facing uncertain finances. The freeze at The New School will “allow the university to generate salary and benefit savings from positions that are budgeted and not filled,” the university’s statement said.

The last hiring freeze at The New School was in 2020, amidst the pandemic and sweeping financial turmoil. It lasted about a year.

‌According to the email announcement from Aug. 20, if there is a need to hire for a new or vacant position, requests will be evaluated based on if the role “directly support[s] our core academic mission or institutional priorities,” is “essential to maintain critical services or comply with regulatory obligations,” and can be sustained by the budget.

‌Requests will be reviewed by Pineda as well as divisional leadership and The New School’s Human Resources Department.

The email, which also announced initiatives requiring increased in-person work for staff, stated that Human Resources recognizes “the increased demands [the hiring freeze] may place on some departments.” 

To help, they will be exploring “cross-training and greater collaboration across units” and other “creative solutions.”