Portland State University Cuts Dance Amid $35M Deficit, Sparking Protests Over PIVOT Restructuring
As part of a restructuring initiative named PIVOT aimed at addressing a $35 million budget shortfall, Portland State University will eliminate its dance program. President Ann Cudd revealed plans to reorganize 19 departments, which will involve reductions in faculty and course offerings. The dance program, which has been in decline since the major was discontinued in 1995, will hold its last classes in 2025, with Linda K. Johnson instructing the final course. Students have voiced their disappointment, while faculty contend that the cuts are uneven, with the PSU-AAUP indicating this is the largest reduction in 80 years. On April 3, Union President Bill Knight organized a rally advocating for a halt to PIVOT, as critics raise concerns about PSU's priorities amidst plans for a $155 million performing arts center.
Key facts
- Portland State University is cutting 19 academic departments to address a $35 million budget deficit.
- The dance program was fully eliminated in 2025, having lost its major in 1995 and minor around 8 years ago.
- University President Ann Cudd leads the restructuring under the PIVOT (Plan for Institutional Vitality and Organizational Transformation) plan.
- Longtime instructor Linda K. Johnson taught the final dance course, which had waitlists.
- A rally on April 3, 2025, at Union Plaza in Portland protested the cuts, led by PSU-AAUP President Bill Knight.
- PSU is pursuing a $155 million performing arts center while cutting academic arts programs.
- Economist Howard Bunsis found PSU had $211 million in reserves as of fiscal year 2023.
- The PIVOT plan could eliminate up to 71 programs and cut 217 faculty/staff positions by 2027-2028.
Entities
Artists
- Linda K. Johnson
- Tere Mathern
- Judy Patton
- Atlas Donnelly
- Fiona
- Bill Knight
- Howard Bunsis
- Ann Cudd
- Karen O'Donnell Stein
- Tina Kotek
- Susanne Langer
- John Dewey
- Maxine Sheets-Johnstone
- Martha Graham
Institutions
- Portland State University
- PSU-AAUP
- Conduit
- Portland Community College
- Portland City Council
- Keller Auditorium
- Portland’5 Centers for the Arts
- White Bird
- La La La Human Steps
- Oregon’s Education Stability Fund
Locations
- Portland
- Oregon
- United States
- Union Plaza
- Lincoln Hall
- Studio 255
- Downtown Portland