Procedures for collaborative input for significant academic changes at the University of Oregon

Section I

1.1 Whereas the budget cuts during the spring and summer of 2025 made it clear that UO needs a clear and accountable process to facilitate future significant changes to academic programs; and 

1.2 Whereas the University Of Oregon Senate serves as the representative shared governance organization that is best situated to provide formal input to administrators when faced with significant changes; and 

1.3 Whereas detailed procedures are necessary to ensure that UO leadership including the President, Provost and Deans are actively collaborating with faculty and staff to create plans for reduction and elimination of academic changes; and 

1.4  Whereas the collaboration between faculty staff and senior administrators must be transparent, significant and ongoing to build trust and encourage clarity about the health of academic programs and the UO budget; and 

1.5  Whereas the processes detailed in the motion require good faith and accountability from administrators to ensure that major academic decisions are made with feedback from all affected parties ahead of implementation; and

1.6  WHEREAS while it is acknowledged that these procedures can only cover "academic matters" as defined in the UO Constitution, it is crucial to acknowledge that many vital and deeply committed staff members fall in roles that are outside the Senate's immediate jurisdiction; and 

1.7  WHEREAS that reality does not diminish the support that the University Senate has for these Officers of Administration, Classified Staff, Graduate Employees, and Student workers who also need and deserve a transparent and deliberate process that provides clarity for formal input before staffing changes are executed; and 

1.8  WHEREAS the University Sente supports the demands of the Officers of Administration, the only staff on campus without the formal protections of a collective bargaining agreement, that potential staffing cuts to OAs are proposed and considered with the same principles of equity and transparency outlined in the processes therein; and 

1.9  WHEREAS the University of Oregon Senate implores the University President to consider the impact on campus services, operational functions, and the specific effect that cuts will have on the delivery of academic instruction and services when considering staffing cuts to all employee groups; and 

1.10  WHEREAS the University of Oregon Senate specifically requests that the administration create procedures based in the principles herein, and in accordance with previously agreed upon CBAs and policies, that give staff across the university the opportunity to provide formal input before major changes in the institution are executed. 

Section II

2.1 Therefore the University of Oregon Senate establishes the Procedures for Collaborative Input For Significant Changes at the University of Oregon detailed in the attached document.