Read PSU-AAUP’s own Ramin Farahmandpur’s op-ed in NW Labor Press Op-Ed. Here’s an excerpt:
PSU’s reductions come at a critical time for downtown Portland. The university employs thousands and draws 20,000 students to the city center. Yet according to Portland Clean & Safe, foot traffic downtown remains at half its pre-pandemic levels, 21 million pedestrians annually, down from 42 million in 2019. City officials have counted on PSU to anchor downtown recovery efforts, but PSU’s budget woes will set back recovery.
PSU President Ann Cudd has said that because more than 80% of our budget supports personnel, workforce reductions will be required. Faculty union representatives disagree. As PSU faculty union president Bill Knight notes, “cutting this many positions will damage our ability to serve students and support Portland’s recovery.”