Portland State University announced a final plan to lay off 36 employees and close two departments after negotiating with a faculty union over several months. The cuts are intended to close a projected $35 million budget shortfall over the next two years. The announcement highlights the linkage between institutional financial distress and reductions that can reshape academic offerings and governance dynamics. For faculty and students, the plan also raises near-term questions about continuity of instruction, staffing, and program capacity. The article positions the decision as the culmination of internal negotiations, with the university presenting it as necessary to maintain solvency amid the budget gap.