An independent arbitrator has ordered Portland State University to reinstate 10 non‑tenure‑track faculty members, finding the university violated its collective bargaining agreement when it implemented layoffs tied to the “Bridge to the Future” deficit plan. The arbitrator ruled PSU did not follow the contract’s required process for economic layoffs. PSU‑AAUP lodged the grievance after the university laid off 17 instructors to close an $18 million shortfall; the arbitrator’s decision compels the university to respect shared governance procedures. Portland State says the budget cuts closed the deficit and saved millions, but it is considering an appeal and warns further personnel reductions may still be required to meet longer‑term fiscal targets.