Dear Colleagues,
Over the past several months, I have shared updates about the financial challenges facing Lane and the work underway to develop a thoughtful, multi-year plan to address them. The College has also been engaged in campus forums, listening sessions, governance discussions, and ongoing dialogue with the Board of Education. Input from our employees to the most recent ThoughtExchange is here for your information.
Shaped by the values of the Board of Education and informed by input from our college community, the FY2027 mitigation plan strategies outline a forward‑looking path for Lane, one that balances careful planning for the future with deep respect for our employees. At its March 4 meeting, the Board approved the framework for the FY2027 strategies to support the college’s three-year mitigation approach to fiscal sustainability, and authorized the administration to begin implementation planning. As part of that process, the Board packet for the upcoming March 18 work session has now been publicly posted. It includes the materials outlining the mitigation areas and the specific line items currently under consideration.
You can review those materials here. The administration will share these items in greater detail with the Board during its March 18 work session.
I want to acknowledge that seeing the details of these mitigation strategies is difficult for all of us. Behind every position, program adjustment, or operational change are colleagues, departments, and contributions that have helped shape Lane over many years. Over the past week, we have taken care to communicate with individuals and partners affected by these proposed changes before releasing the broader materials publicly. Those conversations are important to ensure that people heard the information personally and respectfully before it became part of the public discussion.
This work is part of a broader effort to address Lane’s structural budget deficit in a deliberate and planned way. The proposed mitigation strategies represent approximately $4.2 million in ongoing adjustments across operations, support services, and academic programs. This is reflective of the College's current FY2027 forecast projections. Our approach has been guided by values and principles developed with the Board and informed by College feedback, including protecting core student-facing instruction and services, aligning programs with workforce and transfer pathways, reducing duplication where possible, and moving certain programs toward more sustainable funding models.
I also want to dispel rumors associated with this work, wherever possible. For example, I have heard questions circulating regarding the future of the Health Clinic. I want to be clear that the Health Clinic will remain open and continue to serve students.
What is changing is the funding structure. Rather than being supplemented by the college’s General Fund, the clinic will be supported through its student fee model, which remains unchanged. This adjustment reflects the broader effort to ensure that services are funded in sustainable ways while preserving access for students.
Continuing Engagement
The March 18 work session will provide an opportunity for the Board to discuss the mitigation strategies in greater depth as we continue the FY2027 budget development process. The Budget Committee will conduct its formal work in April and May before recommending a proposed budget to the Board for approval prior to June 30, 2026.
Your feedback continues to be an important piece of our work together. To support that, we are launching a new ThoughtExchange where employees can share questions, and feedback about the mitigation strategies and the broader budget process. Your feedback will be shared at the Board of Education work session.
Moving Forward Together
Moments like this are never easy for any institution. Community colleges across Oregon and the nation are navigating enrollment shifts, funding volatility, and rising costs. Taking thoughtful action now allows us to address these challenges in a measured way rather than facing more disruptive decisions later.
Throughout this process, we have tried to remain grounded in the values that guide our work: transparency, care for one another, and an unwavering focus on students. Lane’s mission to expand opportunity through higher education remains unchanged. We will continue to transform the lives of individuals and increase economic vitality in our communities.
I am deeply grateful for the professionalism, compassion, and commitment that each of you brings to our students and to one another every day. Your dedication is what makes Lane the college our community relies on.
Thank you for your continued engagement and care for one another as we navigate this work together.
With appreciation,
Stephanie