According to university spokesperson Eric Howald, who talked to The Oregonian/OregonLive, the University of Oregon let off forty-two staff last week, and additional layoffs are anticipated in the months ahead as a result of financial deficits.
The 42 staff members were employed by the university’s largest institution, the College of Arts and Sciences. Eleven faculty members were among them, along with personnel from academic assistance, grants, administration, human resources, and communications. According to Howald, these layoffs helped the college close a deficit of more than $3.5 million for current fiscal year, which ends on Monday.
According to Howald, UO anticipates implementing additional layoffs and maybe furloughs in the upcoming months due to a $25 million to $30 million budget deficit for the upcoming fiscal year.
Howald told The Oregonian/OregonLive that the College of Arts and Sciences may experience 50 to 60 more layoffs if the university only used employment cuts to address the shortfall. Layoffs are anticipated at other colleges and administrative units, which also face budget cuts of 2.5% and 4%, respectively.
We are aware of the worries. Howald remarked, “I don’t think anyone at the university takes these decisions lightly.” The times ahead will be challenging.
According to Howald, a number of factors contributed to the budget shortfall, including cuts in federal funding and a state higher education budget for 2025–2027 that is insufficient for the needs of Oregon’s university system.
The university is particularly dubious about the number of overseas students it will have, and it also missed its nonresident enrollment goals. Compared to in-state students, these groups pay greater tuition, which accounts for a significant amount of the university’s income.
According to Jennifer Smith, president of the UO classified staff union, financing issues are now plaguing higher education.
Smith stated that this is a sign of a more serious issue. The federal government is attacking higher education, and our state is underfunding and undersupporting it.
Budget shortfalls are also present at other public institutions in Oregon, such as Portland State and Oregon State. Portland State revealed six months ago that 17 faculty members will be laid off, and this month, their employment will come to an end. Spokesman Katy Swordfisk told The Oregonian/OregonLive that the institution does not currently have any plans to lay off any more employees.
Smith expressed her opinion that UO administration are not successfully managing the fiscal deficit. According to her, the institution ought to reduce the pay of administrators rather than teachers and staff.
Smith and Kate Mills, the new president of the faculty union at UO, agree that greater transparency is necessary in the process.
“There should be more active conversation,” Mills remarked, acknowledging the existence of the budget shortfall. Upper management has not responded to my inquiries regarding their plans to resolve issue and support us moving forward.
Mills worries that the university’s capacity to assist students will be impacted by the cutbacks. According to Mills, students will have fewer course selections and the surviving professors will have higher class sizes as a result of faculty members leaving.
Smith claimed that UO’s classified employees are also being impacted by the uncertainty surrounding the layoffs. This layoff cycle cost the union 20 employees, and more are on the horizon.
There is a great deal of fear and uncertainty. “Nobody knows who it will be,” Smith stated. Right now, it’s challenging for employees to concentrate on their responsibilities as student support personnel.
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Although the institution is aware of the worries of its staff, Howald told The Oregonian/OregonLive that authorities are unable to respond to inquiries because of the unpredictability of the fiscal situation.
We’re evaluating. According to Howald, we don’t currently have the solutions that people are seeking. As we proceed, we are attempting to get feedback and use our beliefs and principles to inform every choice.
For The Oregonian/OregonLive, Eddy Binford-Ross writes about local politics and education. You may contact her at atebinford-ross@oregonian.com.
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University of Oregon lays off dozens of employees, more expected
University of Oregon lays off dozens of employees, more expected
University of Oregon lays off dozens of employees, more expected