Faculty members at Southern Oregon University say they have agreed to forgo salary increases this year and next in an effort to soften cuts proposed across the university.
The Mail Tribune reports the faculty union has settled a new two-year contract with university administration.
Union President Jim Rible said the union hopes that giving up raises will help save positions and money for the university.
University administration announced in November its plan to embark upon retrenchment, a process in which it can cut staff and academic programs as it sees fit.
The university needs to cut between $3.3 million and $5 million over the next few years, with the amount dependent upon enrollment and funding.
Two other public universities in Oregon — Portland State University and Eastern Oregon University — are facing financial crises similar to SOU's and have yet to settle on faculty contracts for this year.
