Labor and shared-governance disputes produced immediate institutional reversals and new bargaining momentum across campuses. An independent arbitrator ordered Portland State University to reinstate 10 faculty members after finding the university violated its collective‑bargaining agreement during 2024–25 layoffs, a decision that the union framed as a win for shared governance and that PSU may appeal. Meanwhile, a multi‑day strike by more than 200 faculty at Harrisburg Area Community College pressed stalled contract talks forward, and negotiators reported movement toward a deal. The episodes highlight heightened union leverage among contingent and two‑year‑college faculty and the legal and governance risks administrators face when making rapid staffing decisions.