Employees at Carnegie Mellon University will not receive merit increases in their salaries for the upcoming fiscal year.

In an email addressed to colleagues Friday obtained by TribLive, CMU President Farnam Jahanian revealed the decision, which he said is a “pause” in merit increases.

“I write to you with a sense of transparency and deep respect for the trust you place in our institution,” Jahanian said. “While the current financial position of the university is healthy, we continue to carefully evaluate all aspects of our operations and finances to ensure the well-being and long-term stability of our community in a time of increasing uncertainty.”

He said the decision was made after considering the “broader economic environment and uncertainty ahead,” such as potential federal actions, enrollment headwinds and reductions in research funding.

“I want to emphasize that this decision, made in consultation with academic and administrative leadership, was not made lightly,” Jahanian wrote. “Unlike many peer institutions that are facing hiring freezes, reductions in force or even pauses in admissions, we are fortunate that we have not needed to take those steps.”

Citing 2019 data, the Chronicle of Higher Education said Jahanian’s total compensation is about $1.4 million, including base pay of $983,641.

In lieu of merit increases in salaries, he said, Carnegie Mellon is intending to recognize and support its faculty and staff by providing additional days off and extended holiday breaks.

“We recognize and value the critical role that merit increases play in acknowledging your hard work and excellence,” Jahanian said. “While this pause is necessary at this time, please know that we remain fully committed to exploring alternative ways to recognize and support our faculty and staff.”

Upcoming Community Appreciation Days will take place on May 23, July 3 and Jan. 2, when limited campus operations will be open.

The Carnegie Mellon community will also have a continuous break for faculty and staff between Dec. 24 and Jan. 2. Last year, winter break became a “permanent addition” to the university calendar, according to Jahanian.

Employees who need to work to maintain operations those days will be able to take alternate days off, he said.

“Together, we will navigate these uncertain times with strength and with an unwavering focus on our mission and our people,” Jahanian concluded in the email.