Kent State University announced a hiring freeze Wednesday to prepare for more expected cuts in Ohio’s higher education budget.

In an e-mail to Kent State faculty and staff, President Lester Lefton said the school has calculated a 10- to 20-percent reduction in the amount of money the university receives from the state for instruction.

“It is also my intention over the next few months to convene groups of faculty, staff and students to solicit your ideas for increasing efficiencies and effectiveness of university operations,” Lefton said.

Lefton said “limited exceptions” will be made for positions that are “mission critical” for the school.

KentWired staff