Southern Oregon University President Rick Bailey unveiled a provisional plan of action Friday to respond to a structural deficit at the higher education institution, declaring exigency on the campus, with draft plans to cut $10.5 million over the next three to three and half years; reduce staff by 64 positions, approximately half of which are considered layoffs.

Southern Oregon University President Rick Bailey’s 20% pay cut approved by SOU’s Board of Trustees on Wednesday follows on the heels of a 50% pay cut request for all SOU administrators by Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 503 President Sage TeBeest on behalf of SOU’s classified union membership to “preserve as many positions as possible” amid $6 million in looming cuts to the university.

Starting on Friday, Aug. 1, and per his own request to the Southern Oregon University Board of Trustees, SOU’s President Rick Bailey will take a 20% or $53,000 reduction to his $290,000 salary over the remainder of the fiscal year, following a unanimous virtual vote by SOU Trustees Wednesday afternoon.