During a time of budget cuts, possible furloughs and severe hiring hindrances, the University is figuring out how to fill the position left by George Zinkhan.

Tom Jackson, vice president for public affairs, told The Red & Black the University has not implemented a “hiring freeze,” but instead is “making only critical hires, each of which was to be approved by a senior vice president.”

In a written statement, Terry College Dean Robert Sumichrast said the University’s marketing department will continue to be committed to offering all courses needed to its students – including those which Zinkhan would have been teaching.

“This summer, we will begin the search process for a faculty member to replace [Zinkhan's] position in marketing and will fill it as soon as we are able,” Sumichrast wrote.

Charlotte Mason, head of the Department of Marketing and Distribution, told The Red & Black classes that would have been taught by Zinkhan will be covered by current faculty for the coming year. As a chaired professor, Zinkhan’s course load consisted of three courses per year. He taught two courses at the University this spring and one in the fall of 2008.

Before the April 25 murders, Zinkhan received $183,000 annually for his position as the Coca-Cola Co. Chair of Marketing.

He held the position, funded in part by endowment grants from the Coca-ColaCo., from 1994 until April 27 when he was fired from the University following the triple homicide at the Athens Community Theater.

“I am unaware of any changes to our contribution, or any increased level of involvement on our part beyond providing the original funds for the endowment,” Scott Williamson, group director of public affairs and communications for Coca-Cola North America, told The Red & Black.

And though funding for the Coca-Cola Center for Marketing Studies was provided by the Coca-Cola Co., it is not directly involved in the selection process for the chaired position.

That responsibility is held by the Terry College.

David Dodson, spokesman for the Terry College of Business, said hiring a replacement for Zinkhan depends on two variables.

“Hiring in any position, particularly right now, depends on having permission from the University to fill it, because of the budget situation,” Dodson said. “Secondly, it depends on finding the right person who you want to offer it to and them accepting it.”

Hiring offers are made by the dean of a college in consultation with each department and must also be approved by the provost, Dodson said.

“It adds that layer of approval to make sure that we’re hiring for critical positions,” he said.

Tom Gausvik, associate vice president for human resources, said a department may only submit a request to fill a position when all funds are available for that position.

“The organization attests that the position is critical for whatever the reasons are, that the funds are available and the funds don’t have to be used for budget reductions or program redirections,” Gausvik said in a telephone interview.

So for a position to be considered a “critical hire,” the hiring department must give a business reason – available funds – along with a justification of why that position is critical to the functioning of the department, he said.

“The request goes through the chain of command and has to be approved by a senior vice president,” Gausvik said.

In the case of filling the position left vacant by George Zinkhan, the senior vice president who must approve the hiring decision will be Arnett Mace, senior vice president for academic affairs and provost.