PIVOT Pulse Check

Friday, November 21, 2025

Below you will find updates on progress to date, what we’re working on now, and what’s coming up next.

We’ve also created an internal website that provides all the information you need to stay up to date on where we are in the PIVOT process. Each step for Tracks 1 and 2 are described, including key actions and resources for those tasked with carrying out program or unit reviews.

Academic units continue their study of all academic programs on campus. Our Data Support Team continues to hold office hours and meet with units as they carry out self-studies. 

We’ve added guidance for reviewing Certificates to the Guide to the PIVOT Track 1 Program Vitality Report to help teams better interpret data provided in the preliminary reports for certificate programs. We have also included descriptions of how minors are reflected in the Track 1 PVRs.

This week, each program designated Point of Contact will receive instructions (available here) for submitting their self-study response via a Qualtrics survey.

Up Next

Once studies are submitted, the responses will be integrated into the Program Vitality Reports, creating a more holistic review that balances measurable outcomes with program-level expertise and contextual knowledge. 

Deans, in consultation with the Office of Academic Affairs (OAA) executive leadership, will develop proposed classifications for each program (Grow, Sustain, Revitalize, or Sunset) using the Program Vitality Framework. Deans and OAA will share proposed classifications with units and relevant curriculum committees for clarification and feedback before they are finalized in January.  

We continue to finalize the designated points of contact for all administrative structures, academic supports, centers, and institutes. This is an important step, as each contact will be responsible for submitting their unit’s self-study. 

We also continue to gather and prepare relevant financial and operational data that will be curated into Unit Vitality Profiles (similar to PVRs) and shared with each designated point of contact and unit leader. 

Up Next

These data sets will be combined with unit self-assessments into a comprehensive UVP that will support and inform the classification process across five categories (Invest, Sustain, Reassess, Restructure/Consolidate, Phase Out). More details about this process will be shared soon.

Faculty and staff engaged directly with Provost Chabon this month’s Chairs’ Coffee Hour with the Provost, the All CUPA meeting and MCECS town hall. Engagement opportunities will continue to be shared as they are planned across campus.

The PIVOT Transition Monitoring Team met on November 14 to report on the employee experience, identify emerging concerns and challenges with the PIVOT process.

We are also working on providing helpful information to students about PIVOT and PSU’s Bridge to the Future 2.0 efforts. Next month, we will provide additional guidance to academic employees on how to discuss this process with students and address any  concerns they may raise about the process.

Questions? Contact Provost Chabon at provost@pdx.edu

More information: Visit PSU’s Bridge to the Future 2.0 webpage for details on the University’s strategic pathway to financial sustainability.

The PIVOT Pulse Check is distributed regularly to Academic and RGS employees by the Office of Academic Affairs on behalf of PSU’s Academic Leadership Team to keep our academic community informed and engaged throughout the PIVOT process.