Bean counters have been called in at cash-strapped Dundee University.
Lecturers have been told not to order new stationery, office supplies and even tea, coffee and milk in a bid to drive down costs.
The notice comes a week after The Courier revealed the university is facing a prospective funding gap of £10 million by the end of next year.
Principal Professor Sir Peter Downes blamed the Scottish Government funding settlement and rises in pay and pension contributions for the funding crisis enveloping the university.
He said an estimated Scottish Government cut of 3.3% which could change when figures are confirmed as well as a 2% rise in both pension and National Insurance contributions are likely to force the university to find “significant cost savings”.
Now staff have been told to stop all unnecessary expense in a bid to reduce costs.
A memo written by Elaine Plenderleith, administrator of the university’s School of Social Sciences, urged staff to begin tightening their belts.
The email states: “Please note that, owing to further pressure on budgets, we are being asked to use existing stationery/office supplies, IT supplies, furniture and equipment wherever possible to make savings on budget.
“I am sure you will have seen the recent emails from Professor Downes with regard to the current financial situation and I hope you can understand the position on reducing expenditure such as this.
“There may be a rare exception where a project is externally funded and equipment, for example, is part of that funding and approval may then be permitted.”
The memo also lists goods staff are not able to order, including “tea break” supplies of tea, coffee and milk.
A spokesman for Dundee University said: “We always ask staff to exercise responsibility and consider what expenditure is necessary, and to seek savings wherever possible.”
A spokesman for Abertay University said no such restrictions are currently in place for their staff.
Scottish Labour has warned the cuts being imposed on universities may just be the “tip of the iceberg”.
However, the Scottish Government said it has invested £4 billion in higher education over the past four years and will spend another £1 billion in 2016/17.