Dear CAS colleagues,
As you know, our college faces a $3.65 million budget deficit this fiscal year (FY25). As a result, we have made the difficult decision to eliminate approximately 42 positions across four CAS employee groups: officers of administration, classified staff, career faculty, and undergraduate student employees. (Graduate employees and tenure-track faculty are not included.) These actions will result in reduced expenses of approximately $3.5 million for CAS.
Affected employees were notified today, and we are committed to providing support to them and to approaching their transitions with care and respect.
The decision to eliminate these positions was not made lightly. We understand and deeply regret the impact the layoffs will have on those affected. Layoff decisions for FY25 were guided by the CAS Budget Reduction Principles, which were developed in consultation with faculty and administrative leaders across the college. Rather than applying across-the-board cuts, the reductions were made strategically, in consideration of core academic priorities, operational needs, and the ability of units to fulfill their missions with reduced staffing. That said, none of this makes the loss of colleagues and their positions any easier. I will share more information next week about our plans to ensure the continuity of our core functions in units affected by the reductions.
Human Resources and Employee and Labor Relations (ELR) staff are available to provide assistance and guidance throughout the transition period to those who seek support. Please reach out by email to hrinfo@uoregon.edu and/or uoelr@uoregon.edu for help. I am also attaching a frequently asked questions (FAQ) document to help answer additional questions you may have.
While these actions are incredibly difficult, they are necessary to ensure we can fulfill our commitments to students and to preserve CAS’s financial health during an unprecedented time for higher education in the US.
Looking ahead to FY26, we expect that additional reductions will be necessary and may include tenure-track positions and involve program closures. The UO is facing a significant structural budget deficit in the coming year, and as the university’s largest college, CAS will need to address a proportionate share of that shortfall. We are still in the planning phases, and no final decisions have been made about additional budget adjustments. CAS leadership and I will continue working over the summer to evaluate options and develop a strategic, measured, and compassionate approach to any future reductions. We will share more information in late summer or early fall.
These are undeniably challenging and uncertain times. As we navigate these challenges, I remain deeply grateful for all you are doing to advance our mission. Please show understanding, patience, and support to your colleagues during this transition.
Sincerely,
Chris
Chris J. Poulsen
Tykeson Dean of Arts and Sciences
Professor of Earth Sciences
College of Arts and Sciences | University of Oregon
1030 E. 13th Avenue | Eugene, OR | 97403
Pronouns: he/his
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