April 15, 2026 | Hannah Field | Editor-in-Chief & Kiera Roedel | Copy Editor
Western’s vice president, Tina Fuchs, sent an email March 27 that announced the difficult decision was made to pause Destination Western due to the ongoing budget crisis. Fuchs reported that the program ceasing will save Western approximately $300,000 and announced that the Director of New Student and Family Programs position would remain empty. Furthermore, it was announced that admitted students orientation work would be passed over to Student Engagement, and that Malissa Larson, the associate vice president and dean of students, would provide leadership to the remaining New Student and Family Programs team. The email also stated that Destination Western could be revisited if funds were to become available and that Western remains dedicated to supporting students and minimizing disruption.
Students involved with DW, either as part of a cohort or an employed student, have reported significant personal growth because of the program, alongside forged meaningful connections while transitioning into PACK Welcome Week and university life, the purpose of the program. In a student letter to the university, Mari Lemus-Sanchez wrote: “This program has taught me who I am, helped me grow as a person, and most importantly, taught me to love this university and made it feel like a home away from home. Without this program, I would not be here—I would have 1000% transferred.”
Since the announcement, many students have reacted with general shock, surprise and disappointment, considering the impact of the annual program. Additional complaints have arisen that the program was cut too suddenly, considering DW peer advisers and lead positions had been filled prior to the announcement, and that the New Student and Family Programs team was given minimal notice and was not consulted about the decision. Due to this, the NSFP team had planned a meeting with the incoming DW hirees — scheduled for Monday, March 31 — but it did not occur before the email was sent Friday, March 27.
“We did not get to tell them at all. Monday comes around, we go to the meeting, and they’re like, ‘So, the meeting is about the email.’ And we told them, ‘You deserve the respect of us telling you in person. We didn’t get the chance, I’m so sorry,’” said junior and Student Coordinator Mari Lemus-Sanchez.
Peer advisers within DW, like Lemus-Sanchez, are responsible for caring for their cohorts and easing their transition into college, as well as soothing parents, minimizing homesickness and introducing students to campus. Lemus-Sanchez noted 15 or more students per cohort, many of whom require emotional support in some capacity to establish their confidence and comfort level on campus.
According to Fuchs, the evaluation of budget and necessary programs had resurfaced strongly in October of 2025, with the finance crisis snowballing through Winter term until Western’s administrators had to make an abrupt call to suspend something to preserve funding, with the decision finalized in early March.
Destination Western was originally funded by a 2021 state grant called Strong Start, which provided Oregon’s public universities with funds to address pandemic-related learning disruptions. After Strong Start funding concluded, DW transitioned to being funded by Western’s general fund, putting an additional load on the university’s budget.
“It came down to, we have nowhere else to go, we (had) to eliminate a program,” said Fuchs. “It seemed to be the natural choice to choose DW, also because DW supports 18 percent of our incoming class, while all of our other programs support a substantial number of all of our students throughout the year. That’s how we came to that conclusion, and I need you to know it was not easy.”
One anonymous source indicated that the decision would heavily impact first-generation students who benefit from the support offered in DW, as well as called for concern regarding how 80% of the university’s annual budget goes to personnel, yet a student-centric program of such magnitude is dismantled.
Another contentious point is how the decision affects pay for students employed for DW, which can be put toward tuition and cover common expenses.
“The community is disappointed with the paycheck, that taking 50 percent out of our funds, but I think we’re more disappointed and mourning the idea of this program not existing anymore,” said junior Belinda Galindo, who was looking forward to working for DW in the fall. “That’s the bigger picture: the program itself. And making sure that we support new students and families and make them feel seen. We loved our job. We loved doing what we did.”
Before, during and after the decision was made, students, especially those related to NSFP, report feeling the lack of conversation regarding the choice.
“I just want to make sure that, you know, our opinion is getting seen and we are being heard, but it almost feels like it’s getting swept under the rug, and it’s being quick to be moved on from,” said Galinda. “Incoming students and their families are worth investing in … We’re grateful for the program and the people who were a part of it, and my hope is that this program continues. It’s a big part of Western and it feels wrong to take it away.”
Fuchs and Larson emphasized that they understood students’ desire for involvement and transparency, but that there was no alternative to cutting the program. Additionally, no positions were lost and nobody was let go in the removal of the director position. Administration also clarified that they knew students had been hired following the recruitment and interview process before DW was cut.
“I needed to make a decision to make a reduction in our budget that was going to impact the fewest number of students on our campus,” said Fuchs. “And this was the area that was the most flexible for us in being able to do that, and I don’t know that student input at that point for students would have even been helpful. I think it would have been painful. And, either way, I feel like it’s been emotional and painful. Again, I want to convey that this was not easy.”
In an article posted last year, Western had stated: “Destination Western remains an essential program for new students at Western, nurturing connections and a sense of belonging as they begin their academic journeys.”
“We took this very seriously, and we’re going to do everything we can to compensate for as much as we can with what we offered in DW by building a robust orientation program during Welcome Week,” Fuchs said. “I recognize that we are taking away something that is so incredibly meaningful to students, and we can still create meaningful opportunities for students in other ways … it’s not just taking away a program and somehow not providing the support. The support will be there, I guarantee it.”
Larson stated: “Somebody brought to our attention that it feels like we’re choosing money over students, and I think my response to that is … I’ve worked here 17 years … We want Western to still be here. I want to retire from Western. And so that is what we’re focusing on, this wasn’t not choosing and prioritizing our students — it was choosing and prioritizing our students so we can sustain as an institution.” Larson also emphasized that any feelings students may have, be them grief, frustration or disappointment, are valid.
First-year student Joaquin Yoos commented, “The administration kind of taking the point of view like, ‘Hey, we didn’t really tell anyone because we didn’t want more people to get hurt.’ I feel like that’s the opposite — it kind of hurts more people.” Yoos was preparing to begin his second year at Western as part of Destination Western, and reported excitement at the prospect, citing the program as amazing and important. He added, “The way it’s being handled, from a student perspective, what students see, it’s not being handled well.”
“Students should have a voice and should be able to use that voice when a decision is made,” stated Lemus-Sanchez.
“I feel like this is a program that is so worthy of being funded,” said Galinda. “The impact it has, like I said — it does wonders.”
Contact the authors at howleditorinchief@wou.edu and howlcopyeditor@wou.edu
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