The UO's Budget

The University of Oregon will need to cut $65M from its budget to avoid an ongoing annual budget deficit in the coming years. This deficit is largely the result of declines in non-resident enrollment caused by increased competition, federal action and the declining number of students attending college. Universities across the country are working through similar pressures. This site was created to share information on the process, timeline and principles used in developing approaches to address this deficit across the university.

President Karl Scholz has identified the following guiding principles for this process, and shared them in his May 2026 message:  

• We will elevate and invest in research strengths that can meet the needs of our communities and industry, attract the best talent, and differentiate this university.   
• We will hire strategically, with a view to make the UO known for leadership and excellence in specific areas of research.    
• We will invest in the quality of the student experience and make the University of Oregon a destination of choice for more students. 

The President and Provost Chris Long have established a vision for the academic enterprise that supports and expands on the direction of Oregon Rising, the university’s strategic plan:

The University of Oregon will be a public research university designed for human connection, animated by ambitious research concentrated in signature areas that push the boundaries of knowledge and enrich society, sustained by strong graduate programs, and enlivened by an undergraduate education rooted in distinctive learning experiences that lead to meaningful work and fulfilling lives.

To accomplish this, and to offer the high quality, high engagement programs to which this vision aspires, the university must focus its educational and research scope, ensuring both appropriate breadth and differentiated programs.