The University still has a ways to go after the end of the hiring freezes, with seven dean searches in progress and continuing through next semester.
Jane Cassidy, vice provost for Human Resources and Facilities Management, said though several searches are being finalized, the University has yet to hire anyone.
Cassidy said the search process typically has three parts — application reviews, Skype interviews and in-person interviews — before decisions are made.
The School of Veterinary Medicine is the closest to finalizing its search, as three candidates have already been interviewed and Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost Stuart Bell will discuss final options with the search committee next week.
Last week, three candidates interviewed with the College of Science and Cassidy said the committee is also close to making a                         recommendation.
The E.J. Ourso College of Business is still in the application stages, but its search committee will solidify who to bring to campus as early as January.
Similarly, the School of Library and Information Science is evaluating applications.
The College of Music and Dramatic Arts is conducting Skype interviews this week, while the College of Humanities and Social Science is conducting interviews next week. 
New deans and faculty members are typically brought in at the beginning of the fiscal year, July 1, so the searches still have a ways to go, Cassidy said.
Last April — after University Registrar Robert Doolos announced his retirement — the University began searching for his replacement. Cassidy said the search for his position is in its final stages and an announcement will be made soon.
Interim Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administrative Services and Interim CFO Robert Kuhn also announced his retirement earlier this year, and Cassidy said candidates are being interviewed on campus this week for the position.
This search should be finalized next January, Cassidy said.
Cassidy said the faculty and administrators who plan to leave are waiting until the right person is found.
Additionally, she said the recent merit increases have helped keep and recruit faculty at the University.
“They feel the state is investing in them here,” Cassidy said.  
“They feel the state is investing in them here.”