Oregon Governor’s Proposed Budget for Higher Education Falls Below Requirements
The $4.39 billion 2025-2027 budget allocation proposed by Governor Tina Kotek for higher education falls well below requirements, according to university and college educators.
Oregon Trails Behind Most Other States
Oregon already trails behind most other states in support of public higher education, says Portland State University’s Vice President of Finance and Administration, Andria Johnson.
“Now is not the time to fall farther behind,” she warns.
Although the proposed budget for higher education is more than in the last biennium, university, and college leaders say it does not consider the increased cost of education.
Inadequate Funding Can Lead to Higher Tuition Fees
They believe that inadequate funding will increase the cost of tuition, ultimately affecting efforts to stimulate the development of Oregon’s workforce initiatives.
The Higher Education Coordinating Commission (HECC) is responsible for two main funding streams required by universities and colleges – operating revenue and financial aid programs to help students carry the cost of college.
The proposed budget allocates $25 million to promote careers in behavioral health care, and another $29 million to expand needs-based programs such as the Oregon Opportunity Grant (OOG).
See also: Republicans Criticize Oregon Governor’s Recommended Budget
OOG Needs More Than Five Times the Amount Allocated
However, university and college educators are calling on lawmakers to increase the governor’s OOG funding allocation by more than five times the recommended $29 million. The Oregon Community College Association and the Oregon Council of Presidents want an additional $150 million.
Community College Budget is $50 Million Less than What is Needed
Despite an increase in the $870 million budget for Oregon’s 17 community colleges, it remains $50 million below what is needed to maintain current operations and services, according to the Oregon Community Colleges Association (OCCA).
Portland Community College president Adrien Bennings said in a statement that a gap in the budget could force colleges to increase tuition fees, threatening the community college mission of serving students and communities.
Bennings says without adequate investment, colleges could undermine access to education and workforce training ‘when it is needed most, especially in critical areas like housing construction, behavioral health, and childcare.’
Kotek’s proposed $1.08 billion to support university operations and research is slightly higher than the last biennium. However, the Oregon Council of Presidents (leaders of the state’s public universities), says it falls short by $14 million of what universities need to maintain operations. The OCOP is calling on the Legislature for an additional $195 million.