Dear PSU Students,
Following my messages on March 9 and March 16, I am writing to share the next steps in our plan to ensure Portland State remains resilient for the future.
To address our budget deficit, we have completed a university-wide review of our administrative and academic operations. Today, I am moving forward with a “Provisional Plan” — a required step in our faculty contract — that proposes the elimination of the University Studies and Conflict Resolution departments, as well as faculty reductions in other areas, effective Fall 2027. Most faculty will receive a 12-month notice, as part of our agreement with the faculty union.
I understand that these updates may raise concerns, so here are a few key points to keep in mind:
- Your degree is secure. Your graduation timeline and major are protected. The faculty reductions I’m proposing will have minimal impact on students. Additionally, it is our moral and legal obligation to maintain degree pathways for all currently enrolled students, ensuring the courses you need to graduate remain firmly in place.
- Your credits always count. The general education degree requirements outside of your major are not going away. Everything you have already taken counts toward your degree, and the courses you still need will continue to be offered and accessible.
- This is a university-wide realignment. Faculty reductions are a difficult but necessary step in a broader plan. Additional cost savings are being found in our administrative and non-academic areas through personnel reductions, position management and cutting overhead costs where possible.
While today’s recommendations would involve eventually saying goodbye to valued mentors and scholars, it is necessary to align the size of our degree-granting departments with the number of students in their programs.
University Studies has played an important role in shaping the undergraduate experience, serving students across every major through PSU’s general education curriculum. This week, the Faculty Senate approved a plan to begin modernizing and reforming PSU’s general education requirements. Eliminating University Studies, a standalone, non-degree-granting department, allows us to preserve more faculty positions in degree-granting programs and maintain more degree options for students.
My recommendations were informed by the PIVOT academic program review, financial analysis, and feedback from the PSU community over the past two months — including input from students.
Because this is a “provisional” plan, there is now a formal period for feedback before final decisions are made in June.
- For more details: Visit the Building a Resilient Future webpage, which includes information about which academic departments are identified for faculty reductions and an updated FAQ.
- For your degree path: Please reach out to your undergraduate advisor or graduate program director. They will ensure your pathway to graduation remains clear and supported.
Fall and Summer registration are open now, and those schedules are all set. I encourage you to register for your next term and stay on your path to graduation here at Portland State.
Sincerely,
Ann Cudd
PSU President