Portland State University will lay off 36 employees and close two departments as it works to close a $35 million budget shortfall over the next two years. The university said it released its “final plan” after months of negotiations with the faculty union. The move marks a significant contraction of offerings and staffing at a public institution that has faced sustained financial pressures, with the cuts tied to a near-term timetable for closing the gap. Administrators framed the actions as necessary to stabilize operations within the two-year window. For faculty and students, the decision raises immediate questions about program continuity, course availability, and how remaining departments will absorb additional teaching demand after the department closures.