The University of Minnesota College of Liberal Arts announced it is pausing multi-year contracts for academic professionals and administrators, or P&A, for the current fiscal year in an email sent to staff Monday. 

The email cited substantial financial challenges for the pause, including renewals of multi-year contracts. 

CLA employs 620 academic professionals and 70 administrative employees, according to institutional data from 2024. P&As help conduct research, teach students, direct programs, offer counseling, manage budgets and outreach programs and oversee departments.

Janet Bouyer, the University’s chief human resources officer who sent the email, said the college hopes to move forward with this process in the next financial year. 

In 1980, P&As made up 6% of the entire University, but today they make up 25%, according to the P&A Senate. Over the last decade, the University saw a decrease in tenured or tenure-track professors. 

The email did not say if the University will pause semesterly or one-year contracts for P&A.

Bouyer did not respond to questions prior to publishing.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.