Since curriculum and schedules are planned a year in advance, and generally universities interview for positions a year before faculty start, if someone is being let go they are often told a full year ahead of time. A new colleague of mine was informed today that her contract will not be renewed in May of '24. She will be in our department all year while we interview for her replacement and she interviews for a new Fall '24 position at other schools.
She is obviously very upset and angry with everyone, but she needs employment while looking for a new job.
It's going to be a long year. Department meetings are going to be very uncomfortable.