Dear Colleagues,
As of today, eleven faculty members within CAS have received layoff notices. There will be others forthcoming in other schools in the next few weeks. The University is utilizing the provisions of Article 16. Notices of Appointment of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) to do this. The notice period (whether 30, 90 or 365 days) is also regulated by the CBA. We have known for some time that there would be cuts, but it does not make it any easier for affected faculty. We are glad that the administration is offering those with 90-day notice periods the option to continue in their positions through Fall Term, or receive three months of pay (and continuation of insurance benefits) for summer.
On top of this, we are hearing from all across campus about stipends and course releases being rescinded. Given that we will be welcoming a record number of students in the incoming class, we have serious concerns about how the loss of our colleagues will affect the working conditions of our bargaining unit faculty members going forward, and how they will be evaluated going forward if they are compelled, as President Scholz suggested, to “do less, better.” These are complex questions that the administration will have to answer as we navigate these and any future layoffs.
The loss of each of our colleagues is devastating. Each layoff notice reflects a decision made by upper administration, and a window into what the administration values. Each loss will have a resounding impact on our campus community.
We learned that one of the faculty members to receive a layoff notice was Mike Urbancic, who is just finishing his term as President of United Academics. Mike has worked in the Economics department for 13 years and has been one of the most highly engaged faculty members across campus. For those of you who attend the Provost’s Teaching Academy, you will know Mike as a central figure in many initiatives to elevate teaching at the UO. For those of you who have had Mike as an instructor, you know he goes beyond the classroom to engage students through fun activities such as tabletop gaming clubs and after-hours movie screenings. Or perhaps you’ve crossed paths with Mike at UO’s Pine Mountain Observatory, excitedly showing off the wonders of the night sky to the visiting public.
Many of us know of Mike in his union-related roles—first as VP of Non-Tenure Track Instructional Faculty Affairs, and later as President. His engagement with not just faculty matters, but those issues affecting all workers on campus, has earned him respect across all corners of the university. Because of his long history of care towards the community of workers on campus, UA recently appointed him into the new position of VP for External Relations. Although classified as a Career faculty member, Mike has engaged in service for the university at the level of a tenured full professor. Each faculty member embodies a facet of the university’s mission. Mike represents many of our core values, including excellence in teaching and care for the health of the whole university community.
In the recent town hall, Provost Long spoke of the administration delving deep into the fabric of local units to understand the implications of potential cuts. We encourage faculty members who have witnessed the impacts of colleagues being cut to reach out to the Office of the Provost to share the wisdom that Provost Long requested.
If you have been affected by these cuts, please reach out to United Academics at info@uauoregon.org. This is a difficult time. Please be there for your colleagues and know that we are here too.