Welcome to the PSU-AAUP PIVOT & Retrenchment Hub
Portland State University has launched the Plan for Institutional Vitality and Organizational Transformation (PIVOT), a multi-year initiative designed to address a projected $40 million structural deficit by FY 2028. PIVOT builds upon the previous “Bridge to the Future” plan but introduces a two-track framework for evaluating both academic programs and administrative support units.
Why This Matters Now
Under Track 1: Academic Program Optimization, the administration is utilizing Program Vitality Reports (PVRs) to evaluate every academic program at PSU. These reports will integrate internal institutional data with external labor market metrics provided by Gray Decision Intelligence (Gray DI) to classify programs into one of five categories: Grow, Sustain, Revitalize, Start, or Sunset.
The “Sunset” classification—designated for programs identified for phased closure—directly implicates the job security of our members. Consequently, understanding the intersection of PIVOT’s financial modeling and our Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) is essential.
What You Will Find on This Page
This page is dedicated to demystifying the PIVOT process and ensuring every PSU-AAUP member understands their rights and procedural protections. Resources include:
- The PIVOT Framework: Breakdowns of the timeline, specifically the 2025–2026 planning year, and the specific metrics used to populate the Program Vitality Reports.
- Contract Protections: Detailed explainers of Article 22 (Retrenchment) and Article 23 (Retrenchment Hearings), which govern the procedures the university must follow if program elimination leads to layoffs.
- Gray Decision Intelligence (Gray DI): Analysis of the external software and metrics—such as “market demand” and “contribution margin”—that the administration is using to benchmark program viability.
We invite you to explore these materials below to stay informed and engaged as we all navigate this difficult period together. Click on each tab on the left to explore each category further:
MOA on Layoff Notices Under Article 22
PSU-AAUP Article 22 Town Hall Slides
Article 23: Retrenchment Hearings
Video: Understanding Retrenchment
UNIVERSITY STUDIES / GENERAL EDUCATION
Report of the General Education Task Force
Feedback from University Studies Faculty and Staff
PHILOSOPHY
National disciplinary statement condemning cuts
Philosophy-related publications:
- Portland State Philosophy Protests “Administrative Malfeasance” – January 21, 2025 / Justin Weinberg / Daily Nous
- Philosophy faculty at Portland State University protest proposed termination of non-tenure-stream faculty – January 13, 2025 / Brian Leiter / Leiter Reports
- Portland State Ordered To Reinstate Laid-Off Philosophy Faculty & Others – November 18, 2025 / Justin Weinberg / Daily Nous
- Philosophy department fights back amidst heavy blows from the administration. – March 20, 2025 / Nash Bennett / PSU Vanguard
Change.org Petition – Vindicatory Arbitration Ruling for PSU AAUP!
Press Inquiries can be directed to our VP for Communications & Public Relations
PSU-AAUP in the News
“Faculty leaders argue the administration is relying on artificial intelligence to assess departments, while failing to model how these cuts will impact students.”
April 6, 2026 / KOIN News
View the video coverage here:
Union warns PSU may cut entire Gen Ed program as 200 staff could be laid off
April 4, 2026 / KATU News / Sana Aljobory
PORTLAND, Ore. (KATU) — Portland State University’s Board of Trustees met on Friday as the university worked to close what administrators describe as a structural budget deficit, with potential cuts and a tuition increase under consideration. Read more.
View the video coverage here:
PSU Vanguard – Instagram Coverage
April 4, 2026 / PSU Vanguard
On Friday, April 3, PSU-AAUP held a rally and march in opposition to proposed university-wise program cuts. Watch the video here.
Portland State University eliminates dance programming, faces uncertain future amid budget cuts
April 4, 2026 / Oregon Arts Watch / Amy Leona Havin
Sweeping academic cuts as the university trims its sails include the elimination of PSU’s once vigorous dance program, which had been whittled down to almost nothing. Read more.
Portland State University faculty, staff rally over budget cuts
April 3, 2026 / KGW News
PSU faculty and staff say the university’s proposed budget cuts could be the worst in state history, targeting 19 programs and more than 200 jobs. Watch the video here and here.
Uncertainty hangs over Portland State community as university moves forward with restructuring
April 3, 2026 / OPB News / Tiffany Camhi
In fall 2025, Portland State University faculty had their first encounter with tangible results of the “PIVOT” initiative, an across-the-board academic program evaluation launched to help close what is now a projected $35 million budget deficit. Read more.
Color-Coded Austerity and Shades of Gray
Spring 2026 Issue / Academe Magazine / David Kinsella
This article is part of a series, “Organizing Against the Machines.”
In fall 2025, Portland State University faculty had their first encounter with tangible results of the “PIVOT” initiative, an across-the-board academic program evaluation launched to help close what is now a projected $35 million budget deficit. Read more.
Portland State Administration, Trustees Must Fight for Funding
April 2, 2026 / AAUP National
Today, AAUP President Todd Wolfson and AFT President Randi Weingarten issued the following statement calling on Portland State University President Ann Cudd and PSU’s Board of Trustees to halt their rushed and ill-conceived plan to impose deep cuts to academic programs and the academic workforce. Read more.
Lawmakers Move to Bail Out Southern Oregon While Portland State Plans to Cut
March 16, 2026 / Inside Higher Ed / Ryan Quinn
Oregon’s higher ed coordinating agency has already recommended “integration,” for some state institutions. Portland faculty are calling for more state funding for their own institution. Read more.
Facing $35 million deficit, Portland State considers eliminating or reducing 19 academic departments
March 10, 2026 / The Oregonian/OregonLive / Julia Silverman
Three academic departments at Portland State University are at risk of elimination and 16 others could face reductions or other impacts, President Ann Cudd said Monday. Read more.
Portland State declares financial crisis, reveals plan to cut or reduce 19 departments
March 9, 2026 / OPB / Tiffany Camhi
Portland State’s announcement Monday lays the groundwork for a process that could result in a massive restructuring of the university. Read more.
‘Just not monetizable’: humanities programs face existential crisis at US universities
January 20, 2026 / The Guardian / Alice Speri
Fears over the future of humanities spread amid layoffs and restructurings at scores of public and private universities. Read more.
