Portland State University Cuts 36 Jobs, Closes 2 Departments

Portland State University announced its final plan on Monday, July 21, 2026, to lay off 36 employees and close two academic departments. These measures are intended to address a significant budget shortfall of $35 million that the university must resolve within the next two fiscal years. The university engaged in negotiations with its faculty union for several months prior to this announcement regarding the planned reductions.

The specific departments slated for closure were not immediately identified in the initial reports. However, the decision follows a period of financial strain for the institution, necessitating these drastic steps to achieve fiscal stability. The university aims to close the $35 million gap over the coming two years, indicating a sustained effort to rebalance its budget.

These layoffs and departmental closures represent a substantial restructuring for Portland State University. The negotiations with the faculty union underscore the sensitive nature of these employment and academic program changes. The university's commitment to addressing its financial deficit through these actions highlights the ongoing challenges faced by higher education institutions in managing their budgets effectively while maintaining academic offerings.