fun, only not quite, with bureaucracies

Last week I got a letter from HMS Human Resources, telling me that my position has an end date of June 30, 2010. When I was hired in 2005, my position had an end date in 2007, but in 2007 I was told not to worry about it because it had been proven that I was needed beyond that. Given the current state of the economy and the endowment and several other things, I read the letter several ways. Either:

1. My position is under the axe for next year's layoffs (which the union has warned us to expect, and this is advance notice to go look for a new job, OR

2. In order to fit us all in the OFA budget, all Faculty Promotions Coordinator positions had to have end dates, but it doesn't mean anything really and I shouldn't worry about it, OR

3. HR arbitrarily did something screwy and I shouldn't worry about it. (This option was reinforced by the fact that they copied my ex-boss, who hasn't been here since last September, on the letter.)

So I emailed the office manager, and have been told that option 3 is the correct one and that even if my position is not permanent, I am.

And there was a huge sigh of relief, followed by great rejoicing. HR ought to know better than to send letters like that in an economy like this.