Some Washington college presidents are halting most new hires as a hedge against layoffs and other cuts, given projections of a state revenue shortfall of more than $2 billion.

Eastern Washington University implemented a “soft hiring freeze” in mid-April, saying the school is facing the possibility of significant cuts in the next legislative session.

Washington State University President Elson Floyd last week ordered a similar strategy for administrative hires – but not faculty jobs – asking administrators to fill only “essential” or emergency positions.

Floyd also told administrators he was imposing a moratorium on new programs or courses until a campuswide re-evaluation of programs and areas of focus is complete.

As part of that process, WSU’s undergraduate forestry program is in danger of being axed. The major has only about 20 students, and might be slashed as part of a general reform of the school’s less-popular offerings.

Floyd has told deans to evaluate the strength of their programs, with a goal of focusing scarce resources on majors where WAZZU is a leader or has the potential to lead. Academic departments were also asked to cut 1.5 percent from their budgets, and the College of Agriculture, Human and Natural Resource Sciences is considering doing that by cutting forestry.

Officials stress that no final decision has been made.

The universities of Idaho, Montana and Oregon State have large forestry programs, as do many other colleges around the country.

(The Spokesman-Review & AP)