Financial strain and compensation disputes intensified across sectors of higher ed this week. The New School in New York announced plans to reduce its workforce by roughly 15 percent by June 1 after multi‑year deficits and enrollment declines, telling staff cuts will be targeted to program demand. Faculty leaders called the move painful and disruptive. In Oregon, Portland Community College faculty and staff launched a historic strike over wages and cost‑of‑living adjustments after year‑long stalled negotiations. Together these events underscore divergent institutional responses—deep cuts at small private institutions and collective bargaining escalations at public community colleges—pointing to continued pressure on budgets, staffing and student services.