University of Oregon Proposes Staff Cuts and Academic Program Reductions
The University of Oregon (UO) is contemplating a significant restructuring plan that could lead to the elimination of over 100 staff positions, with a substantial portion of these positions already vacant. Additionally, nearly 20 academic programs may be cut as part of an initiative aimed at addressing a projected structural deficit of $65 million.
This proposal, detailed by UO President Karl Scholz during a faculty senate meeting on Wednesday, includes the merger or consolidation of multiple academic departments.
Scholz noted that the current plan suggests an average budget cut of 7.25% across both administrative and academic sectors, a reduction from the previously estimated 10%. The anticipated savings breakdown involves approximately $17.6 million from administrative services and $25.8 million in academic cost reductions.
“We will apply budget reductions strategically, rather than uniformly, to mitigate the impact on essential campus services,” Scholz outlined in a letter to the campus community.
As part of this proposal, the university is soliciting feedback and will schedule a series of listening sessions. Scholz plans to consult with UO’s vice presidents in November before reaching a final decision on the proposal by early December.
Impact on Academic Programs
If enacted, the budget plan may result in the discontinuation of 18 graduate-level academic programs, primarily within liberal arts disciplines. Many of these programs have not produced a significant number of graduates in recent years.
Proposed Academic Cuts Affecting Liberal Arts
List of UO graduate programs targeted for elimination
Notably, the Folklore and Operations and Business Analytics programs have not granted any doctoral degrees in the past three years. The business school’s Ph.D. program in Management has already halted admissions, citing concerns over its effectiveness for students, having averaged fewer than two degrees awarded annually during the same period.
The affected programs would cease enrolling new students starting fall 2027 and would fully conclude once current cohorts complete their studies. Master’s programs are projected to finish by spring 2028, while Ph.D. programs would typically close by spring 2032.
Financial Implications of Graduate Student Support
Central to many proposed cuts is the financial burden associated with graduate student employees. Graduate students offered Graduate Employee (GE) support receive a complete tuition waiver and stipend in exchange for undertaking research or teaching roles at the university.
While most doctoral students secure externally funded research roles, some receive support through teaching appointments funded by UO.
The University of Oregon’s College of Arts and Sciences may see a reduction of up to 40% in its graduate student employees due to the proposed budget plan.
“GE appointments represent a significant ongoing expense,” the proposal notes, emphasizing the need to align graduate student funding with available resources while prioritizing departments that contribute most significantly to research and scholarship.
Consequently, this could lead to a drastic reduction in the support of graduate students within the College of Arts and Sciences, as funding will be increasingly allocated toward doctoral training and research initiatives.
Proposed Departmental Mergers
The university is also contemplating several departmental consolidations, including the potential merger of the Classics and Religious Studies departments. This move is designed to reduce duplicate leadership roles and lessen administrative demands.
Other proposed mergers include combining the earth sciences and geography departments as well as integrating the design college with the school of music and dance. Furthermore, three undergraduate literature departments—German and Scandinavian Studies, Romance Languages, and Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies—may also be unified into a single administrative unit.
If the proposal is approved, mergers within the design college could be complete by next fall, while changes in other colleges are expected to be finalized by fall 2028. The university’s libraries are projected to face a 5% budget cut, potentially resulting in the loss of up to eight full-time positions.
Ongoing Financial Challenges at UO
If the budget proposal receives approval in December, it represents a second round of significant job cuts for the university in less than two years. In 2025, UO laid off approximately 120 employees and eliminated around 60 vacant positions.
Various converging factors, primarily relating to enrollment, are contributing to UO’s budget constraints, Scholz explained. Enrollment declines are particularly concerning, as Oregon’s high school graduation rates are projected to decrease by 19%, surpassing the national forecast of 13% as indicated by the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education.
Scholz also pointed to intensified competition for students from peer institutions and a sharp reduction in out-of-state enrollment. Nearly 47.1% of UO’s student body comes from outside Oregon, creating a notable financial disparity given the significantly higher tuition rates for out-of-state students.
Moreover, the university has encountered challenges resulting from politically influenced drops in international enrollment.
“These dynamics are not isolated to the University of Oregon,” Scholz remarked. “They reflect a broader transformation across higher education, necessitating adaptations to the evolving market conditions.”
As of early 2026, the Oregon Higher Education Coordinating Commission reported that all seven public universities are facing challenges related to declining enrollment, limited state funding, and shrinking pools of prospective students.
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