The Process - UO Budget

The Process

How the work happens, in all areas of the university

The University is gathering data and evaluating multiple paths to accomplishing a $65M reduction in our budget over the next several years. These efforts are happening in all areas of the University: Academic units and Schools, through enterprise-level business processes, and in administrative units.  

Overview

The Process

The Timeline

Messages

 

the academic process

The academic side evaluates how the university’s academic offerings could be adjusted. It’s built around shared governance, with faculty, staff, and student representatives reviewing proposals to make visible the possible impacts and implications of any academic program changes.

1. Scenario Modeling
When it happens: Summer 2026
Who's involved: Deans and academic units
Who approves: Data-gathering — no approval at this stage
Each academic unit models a range of budget scenarios (for example, 5%, 10%, and 15%) to understand tradeoffs. These scenarios can reveal possible cross-unit savings and prevent units from reducing their budgets in isolation and causing unintended consequences on other units.
2. Proposals Developed
When it happens: Late summer 2026
Who's involved: Provost’s Council (provost + eight deans)
Who approves: Provost
The Provost’s Council develops academic budget reduction proposals based on the modeling and shared criteria.
3. AMAC review
When it happens: Fall 2026 (iterative)
Who's involved: AMAC; Provost’s Council
Who approves: Reviewed by AMAC; decisions finalized later in the process
The Academic Modifications Advisory Committee (AMAC) reviews proposals against agreed criteria over several rounds, giving faculty, staff, and student representatives an opportunity to share the possible impacts and implications of any academic program changes.
4. Proposed plan made public
When it happens: October 2026 (target)
Who's involved: Provost’s Office; University Communications
Who approves: Public phase (pre-decision)
The proposed academic plan is shared publicly on this site, with an opportunity for community input.
5. Final decisions
When it happens: December 2026
Who's involved: President; Board of Trustees
Who approves: Board of Trustees
Final decisions are presented to the Board of Trustees.

 

the administrative process

The administrative side looks at how the university’s operations and services can be delivered with greater efficiency, including savings that cross the entire university. It runs in parallel with the academic process.

1. Scenario Modeling
When it happens: Summer 2026
Who's involved: Vice presidents and administrative units
Who approves: Data-gathering — no approval at this stage
Each administrative unit models a range of budget scenarios (for example, 5%, 10%, and 15%) to understand tradeoffs. Again, these are inputs, not proposals.
2. Proposals and enterprise savings developed
When it happens: August 2026
Who's involved: Vice presidents; cross-functional review
Who approves: [Confirm approver]
Vice presidents submit proposals, and leaders identify enterprise-wide savings that reduce expenses and/or increase revenue across multiple units.
3. Cross-functional review and refinement
When it happens: September 2026
Who's involved: Cross-functional administrative review
Who approves: [Confirm approver]
Proposals are reviewed across functions and fine-tuned so savings hold together across the enterprise.
4. Final decisions
When it happens: November–December 2026
Who's involved: President; senior leadership; Board of Trustees
Who approves: Board of Trustees
Final administrative decisions are confirmed alongside the academic plan.
who's who

President Karl Scholz

Executive sponsor of the process; delivers periodic messages to the community and presents to the Board of Trustees in December.

Provost Christopher P. Long

Leads the academic process and chairs the Provost’s Council.

Provost’s Council

The provost and all eight deans, vice provosts, and other academic leaders; develops academic budget proposals.

Academic Modifications Advisory Committee (AMAC)

Established by the University Senate in June 2026; elected faculty, staff, and student representatives who review academic proposals.

Vice Presidents

Lead administrative units; develop proposals and identify enterprise savings. 

University Senate

UO’s shared-governance body; established AMAC and remains a channel for this process.

University Communications and Provost’s Office

Jointly maintain this site and coordinate updates across teams. 

Questions? Start with your manager or unit leader; questions they can’t answer can go to [placeholder contact/inbox].

frequently asked questions

Are the academic and administrative processes really equal?

They run in parallel. While the two processes have different governance structures, neither leads the other.

What does AMAC do, exactly?

AMAC reviews academic proposals against shared criteria over several rounds. It’s where possible impacts and implications of academic modification proposals get discussed. It was established by the University Senate in June 2026.

Who has final authority?

Major, systemic decisions are finalized in the fall and presented to the Board of Trustees in December. Until then, proposals move through review.

Are specific programs or positions named during this process?

No. Academic proposals move through the Provost’s Council and AMAC as confidential input through the summer and early fall. The proposed plan becomes public in October.

How is the administrative side held to the same standard?

Vice presidents develop proposals and identify enterprise savings through a cross-functional review, on the same timeline as the academic side.

Can I suggest a cost-saving idea?

Yes. Submit it to our monitored inbox budgetideas@uoregon.edu. Every submission is read.

Who do I contact with a question this site doesn’t answer? 

Start with your manager or unit leader; questions they can’t answer can go to [placeholder contact/inbox].