Portland State University Faces Faculty Layoffs and Department Closures Amid Enrollment Decline

Portland State University (PSU) is considering eliminating its conflict resolution and university studies departments, along with cuts to seven others, as enrollment has dropped over 20% since the COVID-19 pandemic. President Ann Cudd proposes laying off 52 unionized faculty and staff, including a dozen tenured professors, to address a $35 million budget deficit over two years. The university's reserves face total depletion within two years, with infrastructure built for 30,000 students now serving 20,000. Faculty unions have passed no-confidence votes against Cudd, with 85% of full-time faculty and 90% of adjuncts opposing her plan. The Faculty Senate has endorsed a resolution to preserve university studies employees but faces administrative resistance. Cudd states no final decisions have been made, with a comment period ending June 13 and a complete sustainability plan due in June. PSU is part of a broader crisis in Oregon higher education, where Southern Oregon University declared financial exigency and the University of Oregon cut 117 positions. The state's Higher Education Coordinating Commission warns that all public universities face fund exhaustion within three to five years without substantial cuts.