PSU-AAUP continues to bargain in good faith and with creativity to help Portland State University address its projected $35 million budget deficit in a way that protects our core academic mission and treats employees with dignity. As university leadership signals plans to lay off 174-216 faculty and staff over the next two years (Board of Trustees, September 16, 2025: slide 61), the union has proactively put forward multiple proposals for voluntary retirement and transition programs—including renewals and enhancements to three existing retirement transition pathways and a new phased retirement option—designed to support both the institution and our colleagues during challenging times.
- Renewal of the tenure-line and non-tenure-line retirement transition programs that allow faculty to rebalance teaching and service duties (up to 50%) in the last year, preserving full salary and benefits throughout a customized retirement transition period.
- Renewal of the Academic Professional transition program that provides APs with up to 12 months of 0.5 FTE post-retirement employment, with health insurance and prorated leave accruals during the transition.
- Proposal for a phased retirement program that lets any AAUP-represented employee gradually reduce their FTE (to as low as 0.5) over up to three years prior to retirement, while retaining healthcare and core benefits, ensuring a secure and flexible exit.
These proposals offer practical, humane options for reducing the number of layoffs by incentivizing voluntary departures, sustaining instructional quality, and providing employees with flexibility, security, and comprehensive transition support. Yet, despite the bargaining team’s offers to engage collaboratively, the administration has not responded to these union-led solutions.
Let’s be clear: PSU-AAUP is at the table, offering pathways that benefit the university and its workforce, and stands ready to negotiate creative responses to this crisis. We urge all members and the campus community to recognize and amplify our ongoing efforts to be part of the solution.