PCC faculty rally against program cuts amid college’s push for ‘fiscal sustainability’

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Faculty at Portland Community College are rallying against the school’s choice to end programs that are beloved among students.

As part of a “fiscal sustainability” initiative, PCC has cut three of 14 programs that were on the chopping block: Music and Sonic Arts, Russian and Gerontology. While administration has revealed the reductions are meant to close the

$14.78 million budget gap the school faced coming into the 2025-27 biennium, some staff members are arguing cuts should’ve been made elsewhere.

“We’re a community college, and we should be maintaining programs, especially popular programs that generate revenue for the college,” Lead Steward for Full-time Faculty Yvette Rosales said. “The other thing, too, is that this whole process has been extremely rushed [and] really, really backwards in some ways.”

Earlier this year, PCC asked employees from each vulnerable program to conduct a “self-study” that proved why their program should remain. Music and Sonic Arts instructors previously told KOIN 6 their study provided information on how many roles Portland’s music industry offers, and how the program benefits students who wouldn’t otherwise pursue higher education — but administration ultimately removed the program and rejected faculty’s appeal despite high enrollment and retention.

Although Gerontology instructors decided against filing an appeal, faculty from the program told administrators they didn’t believe their study “was read, comprehended, or considered in full.”

Some of the courses will now be a part of the sociology department, while some Music and Sonic Arts courses will be added to the traditional music program.

“These challenges stem from increasing costs, state funding reductions, and declining enrollments following the COVID-19 pandemic,” PCC spokesperson James Hill said of the cuts. “This collaborative review process with faculty was aimed to proactively assess academic programs and disciplines for potential cost savings and greater alignment with institutional priorities, ensuring financial sustainability and centering student success.”

Hill confirmed that PCC President Adrien Bennings’ salary has increased by 14% over two years, while other faculty’s salary was increased by 9% ahead of the fiscal review.

He added that the school has reduced the salaries of all “management and confidential” employees by 1.58% for the biennium. Between the pay changes and other “incumbent and vacancy savings,” the administration has now closed its budget gap by more than $5 million, according to Hill.

Instructors are now developing “teach-out plans” to accommodate the students who were pursuing programs that have been axed. But the reductions could still lead to part-time faculty losing their jobs and to a decline in enrollment, according to Rosales.

The PCC Federation of Faculty and Academic Professionals’ petition against the cuts has garnered nearly 700 signatures since May. The group is also gearing up for a “Stop the Cuts” rally at PCC’s Cascade campus at 4 p.m. on Thursday.