I now have to work a couple of 12 hour days a week to cover the third position in my department, which won't get filled because of the hiring freeze. My family is going to love that, and it'll make that class I'm taking (remember, those classes that we pay taxes on because it's considered part of our pay?) even more stressful. And the best part is, when January rolls around I'm sure there'll be a merit increase freeze to accompany the hiring freeze, so all that "Great job! Above and beyond the call of duty! One hundred and fifty percent effort!" will be worth exactly zilch. Believe me, I've seen it happen here not all that long ago. Make sure you gorge yourselves at the BU Christmas Party - it'll be the only "bonus" you get out of BU this year.