PCC considering 14 programs on chopping block as part of its 'fiscal sustainability initiative'

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Portland Community College is considering nixing various programs in an effort to tighten its budget.

While PCC spokesperson Misty Bouse told KOIN 6 the school has yet to determine which would be cut, there are currently 14 of them on the chopping block.

This includes General Science, Electronic Engineering Tech, Machine Manufacturing Tech, Welding, Chinese, German, Russian, Art, Music and Sonic Arts, Theatre Arts, Anthropology, Criminal Justice, Gerontology and English for Speakers of Other.

According to Bouse, these 14 areas were narrowed down from 92 in a “comprehensive program review” as part of the college’s “fiscal sustainability initiative” that was launched last fall.

“PCC’s Fiscal Sustainability Framework and Action Plan and six-year financial forecast,
prioritizes financial sustainability and responsible fiscal management, with a target 12% - 18% ending fund balance to create a financial buffer,” a December 2024 document reads. “Immediate and phased actions, like managing personnel and operational costs, ensure the college’s ongoing financial health.”

The college’s ensuing review of each program evaluated them on factors like cost efficiency, course completion rates and employment opportunities for graduates.

Earlier this year, faculty members were asked to conduct “self studies” showing the value of their programs offer to students and PCC. The studies are due in mid-April, and the college is slated to review them in May.

Part-time instructor Rachel Brashear teaches Music and Sonic Arts classes, which aim to prepare attendees for careers in the modern music industry by showing them skills like engineering and creative coding. She said the impacted students and faculty have been “very upset” since learning the program could be slashed.

“It was like having the rug pulled out from under us because we've been really popular,” Brashear added. “We have very high enrollment, and we're growing all the time, and our students love the program.”

Each program was asked to showcase different evidence in its self-study. Faculty with Music and Sonic Arts were specifically directed to explain which academic credentials are required for roles in the commercial music industry, and what the current job market offers to students. The program was also told to consider merging with the pre-existing music program.

In response, Music and Sonic Arts joined Music Portland in launching a survey that asked industry stakeholders to weigh in on the significance of the program.

Brashear said there is plenty of data that supports the strength of the commercial industry, which garnered $3.8 billion in economic input for Oregon in 2022, but PCC Lead Steward for Full-time Faculty Yvette Rosales said the required studies are merely “extra labor” for faculty who already have packed schedules.

She added that a student just recently expressed their interest in taking a Music and Sonic Arts class.

“It really sucks to hear that PCC is considering [getting] rid of these really cool offerings that we grant to our community,” Rosales said. “Money aside, we're not a corporate institution. We’re a community college. We’re supposed to be offering things to students and not, you know, threatening departments just because they aren't big money-makers or whatever PCC’s rationale is.”

She noted the college will soon start bargaining with its workers union, the PCC Federation of Faculty and Academic Professionals.