Contracts Withheld

Many Roman Catholic colleges are rooted in the liberal arts, but the University of St. Thomas in Houston has a particularly hefty core curriculum: students must take three courses each in English, theology and philosophy before graduating, among other requirements. So it’s puzzling to many on campus that reappointment notifications to tenured faculty members in philosophy may be sent up to month late this year, as the administration reviews department offerings in looking for ways to close a campus budget deficit.