Pay cuts, salary freezes and furloughs are hitting law schools as university systems grapple withmassive budget shortfalls caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

The University of California system, which has 10 campuses and five law schools, has asked state lawmakers for additional funding, saying it racked up $558 million in unexpected expenditures in March alone. Students canceling housing and dining contracts, the costs of switching to online learning, funding COVID-19 research activities, and the halting of elective surgeries all have contributed to the financial shortfall. But system leaders have said they hope to avoid layoffs.

The University of Arizona this week said it's facing a potential $250-million shortfall and is instituting a series of furloughs and salary cuts—which law dean Marc Miller on Thursday said  will apply to the law school.