From the President – December 10, 2025

From the President – December 10, 2025

Uncertainty Reigns

Dear EOU Community,

Uncertainty seems to be the word of the year. It’s hard to strategize and serve when you can’t always see around the corner.  

Yet, we must plan to make sure we take care of our community. While the tone of this message is different from my usual communications, the purpose remains unchanged: to inform, to strengthen our community, and to focus on what we can control by preparing together.

A lot of variability exists in Oregon’s Economic Forecast (opens in a new tab). As such, the state continues to anticipate the need for budget reductions (aka less revenue) in the form of a clawback of monies. We don’t know how much, and I’m hoping it’s as little as 2.5-5% in 2026, based on the state agency budget reduction exercise. The December state forecast looks better than that issued in September, but the state economist warns that 2027-2029 will be a difficult biennium for Oregon. The higher education community is holding its breath, hoping December’s news provides some reprieve for 2026.  

We must, however, plan for the possibility of budget reductions even as we advocate for relief from the state. Soon, I will issue an exercise to all units on campus to develop budgets reflecting 2.5% and 5% cuts just to make sure we’ve begun the preparation should the reductions come to fruition. Yes, we will also likely make use of the fund balance.

We got news of this proposed clawback in state budgets in August and September, and we’ve continued to work to advocate since that time period, as well as communicate with you regularly about what we know. We have been fortunate to have been able to talk about these proposed cuts in all the unit meetings I visited at the beginning of the academic year, as well as in our shared governance meetings for Faculty Senate, University Council, and Budget and Planning.  

I know this is not the news you want to hear. I don’t like it either. We are part of a larger ecosystem that needs fixing, and it’s frustrating to hit the same territory again and again. I recognize the emotional weight that comes with this.

I also know the strength of this community. We have compassionate, committed people who care deeply about our mission, our students, and each other. This gives me hope. Whatever challenges arise, we will navigate them together—thoughtfully, transparently, and with the resilience that has carried us through before.

Even in times of uncertainty and frustration, there are also things to be grateful for, and these too deserve our focus. I’m grateful to Madeline Kennedy, Haley Evans, LeeAnn Case, Tyler Thamert, Kimberly Newman and Tara Gekas for all of their work in making EOU’s Annual Gift-giving Drive accessible for our entire campus community this year. And thank you to all who have been purchasing gifts from the wishlist to support those in need this season.

The food pantry has engaged in some terrific and creative support for students over the break. I’m grateful to Pamela Frederick William’s leadership in this work! We are also thankful for the strong community support of the EOU Food Pantry, which helps ensure students have consistent access to food throughout the academic year.

We are extremely grateful to Spokane Teachers Credit Union (STCU) for a $7,500 donation, the Roundhouse Foundation for $6,000, Oregon Food Bank for $6,000 in funding support, and Hines Meat Company for confirming monthly meat donations to the food pantry. These partnerships help reduce basic-needs barriers so students can stay focused on learning, persist through challenges, and succeed at EOU.

I am grateful to AVP Bennie Moses-Mesubed for her leadership, and to everyone who contributed to our grant proposal for the Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education. Despite a very short timeline, you came together to produce a strong submission.

I’ve also read about some yummy cookies prepared for EOU’s faculty and staff by DeAnna Timmermann, Janna Geissinger, Connor Heather, MJ Heather, Jamie Baker, Dottie McInerney, and Kimberly Zollman. How lovely to support each other . . . with sugar!! 

Guess who is #1 in the Cascades Collegiate Conference for the fall (opens in a new tab)? EOU!! Congratulations to all our coaches, staff, student-athletes, and leadership at EOU! Additional kudos to EOU Volleyball for advancing to the NAIA semifinals and winning two of the five sets. Another shout-out goes to Coach McLean Morehead, who was named the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) West Region Coach of the Year for 2025, and to senior student-athlete Kiauna Mack, who earned the title of AVCA Region Player of the Year. We also celebrate Keira Vaughn and Brooke Womack, who joined Kiauna on the All-Region list.

As this eventful term comes to a close (with its ups and downs) I know we are all counting down the days to our winter break. I hope each of you has the opportunity to enjoy the respite.

Sincerely,

Kelly A. Ryan, Ph.D.
President