Our Bridge to the Future plan update
Dear Campus Colleagues,
Today marks a difficult milestone in our important efforts to achieve the financial sustainability necessary to continue to serve our students now and into the future. This morning we notified 17 non-tenure track instructional faculty members of layoff due to changes in their departments’ programmatic and curricular needs. These are our valued colleagues and friends and each notice has a profound impact on our community. Their positions will conclude at the end of this academic year, with notice provided now — six months in advance — in accordance with the faculty collective bargaining agreement.
These layoffs, as difficult as they are, are steps we must take to move toward a more financially sustainable future for PSU. We are making every effort to minimize the number of layoffs by advancing other initiatives as part of our Bridge to the Future plan.
Our schools and colleges have identified programs they are considering for moratorium or, for programs that are already on moratorium or have zero students, elimination. Academic leaders are now reviewing these programs to understand their impacts and to ensure that all enrolled students will receive support to complete their degrees. We’ll share more information in the coming months as those plans advance through our shared governance processes in the Faculty Senate.
All schools and colleges are also implementing cost-saving strategies by adjusting course offerings, standardizing the application of overload, course release, and stipend policies, and adopting other curricular efficiency measures. Other university divisions are developing plans to meet their cost-savings targets, and we have launched our Operational Excellence work to optimize administrative functions.
The Retirement Incentive Offer (RIO) for eligible faculty closes Dec.18. While we do not have a final number of retirements at this time, as of today 23 faculty have accepted the offer and shared plans to retire this academic year. If you have any questions about the RIO, please check the RIO website.
We are deeply grateful for the campus-wide participation in our efforts to develop program revitalization, curricular efficiency, administrative streamlining, and retirement incentive plans on a tight timeline. Many individuals across this university have dedicated their time and thought to this critical work that will ultimately make Portland State a stronger university: one that is positioned to serve our students and our city for decades to come.
As we reach the end of a challenging fall term and the end of this calendar year, we are optimistic that all of these efforts will bring about enduring, meaningful change at Portland State. At the same time, we acknowledge the deep anguish and sorrow that this period has brought for many in our community. It is our sincere hope that the upcoming winter break provides all of us an opportunity for rest and renewal.
Sincerely,
President Ann Cudd
Provost Shelly Chabon
Portland State University