Section I

1.1. Whereas, the University of Oregon Senate is committed to the rights and responsibilities of faculty, staff, and students as partners in shared governance and as stewards of the institution, in the interest of its long-term sustainability and well-being and its academic mission; and

1.2 Whereas, the University of Oregon Senate is comprised of elected representatives from faculty, staff and students; and

1.3 Whereas, recent actions and statements by the University of Oregon administration have shaken the trust necessary for effective shared governance at the university; and

1.4 Whereas, the University of Oregon Senate has a shared responsibility with administration in providing fiscal oversight to the university and its priorities as they pertain to its academic mission and the impact on students, faculty and programs; and

1.5 Whereas, the University of Oregon Senate has a well-defined role in the establishment of new programs and courses, but no such defined role in the reduction or elimination of programs and courses; and

1.6 Whereas, the Senate Budget Committee is charged with "informing the Senate and advising the University President and administration about university financial matters, including budgetary policies and decisions, and long-term financial strategies.”

Section II

Therefore, be it resolved that:

2.1 We stand in solidarity with those who have been impacted by recent job terminations and layoffs, including career faculty, classified staff, officers of administration and students. The UO Senate will work with UO administrators to better understand the impact of those cuts on the academic mission and the student experience; and

Be It Further Resolved That:

2.2  Matters related to both the creation and elimination of academic programs or programs impacting the University’s academic mission should be informed by the same expertise, and consultative bodies should be appointed with deference to the University’s strengths in faculty expertise and knowledge; and

2.3 The University of Oregon’s leadership should engage in meaningful consultation with impacted stakeholders, including unit heads, department chairs, program directors, and students:

1. The process of terminating, sunsetting reducing academic programs should be evaluated, updated and/or affirmed through a similar process as required for the creation of academic programs, most notably – the Undergraduate Council or Graduate Council – with affirmation by the UO Senate as a whole.
2. Program heads and/or deans should provide a rationale for the Terminating, sunsetting or reducing of any academic programs, including the performance metrics that informed their proposal, the impact on the student experience, teaching and faculty impacts, budget impact, the timeline for sunsetting the program, and a teaching and course plan to ensure current students are able to complete their degree (or Teach Out), certificate or specialization with support for timely graduation.

2.4 The University of Oregon’s fiscal officers will meet as requested with the appropriate Senate bodies to discuss the university’s fiscal stewardship. These bodies may include the UO Senate Budget Committee, appointed working groups and/or Tasks Forces, and the UO Senate and ASUO Senate as a whole; and

2.5 The Senate Rules Committee will develop bylaws amendments during the 2025-2026 academic year that enable the UO Senate to strengthen its shared governance responsibilities. Any bylaws amendments will be introduced for consideration by the full Senate by the first meeting of the Spring term; and

2.5 The Senate Committee on Oversight and Shared Governance will work during the 2025-2026 academic year with the relevant Senate leaders, committees, university staff and administrators to develop motions strengthening UO’s shared governance as it relates to its responsibilities towards its oversight of the academic mission of the UO. The committee will provide draft procedures and legislation for review to the UO Senate at the beginning of the spring term for UO Senate discussion and action.  The committee will present a report to the UO Senate on the outcomes of its work at the end of the academic year.