We, the undersigned, stand united against faculty cuts at the University of Oregon.

The UO administration has announced the imminent layoff of an undisclosed number of faculty and the closure of academic departments and programs, based on a projected budget deficit that was discovered late Spring Term. Twenty faculty and many of our other colleagues across campus have already been laid off. Budgets reflect priorities. This is especially true during times of scarcity.

These layoffs and departmental closures are being rolled out despite the fact that in the coming fall term, the UO will welcome its largest incoming class ever. Last year’s incoming class was the second largest on record. Students are already frustrated with courses being overenrolled; there has been no discussion of how the institution will serve these students with even fewer faculty. This process is unfolding at a breakneck speed that precludes any thoughtful long-term planning or broad consultation that centers the academic mission of the UO.

There has also been an astounding lack of transparency from the administration concerning the University’s larger budgetary priorities and the process for determining which units will be closed and which faculty laid off. Likewise, there has been no meaningful consultation with faculty, nor can there be before September 16, when most faculty are again on contract. Faculty, staff, students, donors, and the public deserve much greater transparency regarding the UO’s overall fiscal management and financial position. Layoffs of those who work tirelessly to uphold the educational and research mission of the university should be an absolute last resort.

Greater shared financial governance will strengthen the UO. Faculty (and other workers) have critical knowledge and expertise about their own units, and including the best ways to make cuts without compromising educational or research quality. Faculty deserve a real seat at the table.

Proposed layoffs are to include tenured and tenure-related faculty, which raises an existential threat to higher education as we know it. In a time when higher education is being dismantled at the whim of the national administration, the University of Oregon administration must not hasten its demise from within.

The anticipated layoffs also appear to have a disproportionate impact on the Humanities, which are key to a liberal arts education that teaches critical thinking, effective self-expression, and a multiplicity of perspectives. These skills are more important than ever in understanding the turbulent time in which we live.

We strongly oppose this rash course of action, which would set a dangerous precedent that faculty can be fired at the whims of administrators, and would tarnish the national reputation of the university. We demand that you immediately drop the plan to eliminate whole programs and lay off faculty, and instead pursue solutions that put students, faculty, and education first.

Additional information and union communications may be found at www.strengthenuo.org and newsletter.uauoregon.org.