Beaver Caucus Advocates—
Oregon State University has been advocating alongside other higher education institutions to secure affordable access for Oregonians to attend colleges and universities. Together, we’ve requested a total of $900 million in the Public University Support Fund and $200 million for the Oregon Opportunity Grant. We believe we are poised for success, but we need your help to get these priorities over the finish line. Please email your legislator to advocate.
OPB News Article: New Oregon budget forecast brings optimism for higher education
By Meerah Powell | May 24, 2021
With a new Oregon budget forecast showing a boost of more than $1 billion in tax revenue above previous estimates, higher education officials see an opening for more money to fund public colleges and universities.
Oregon’s higher ed leaders hope that some of that anticipated funding can go to state financial aid. At least one university has said it would scale back its tuition increase for the upcoming academic year if the state provides additional financial support.
Late last year, when Oregon Gov. Kate Brown released her proposed budget, she designated about $836 million to the Public University Support Fund, the source of money for operations and programs at the state’s seven public universities. Brown’s recommendation left the universities flat-funded — with the same amount they received last biennium.
With this newest state budget forecast, it’s looking promising that the public universities may get more than that. The universities have been advocating together for a total of $900 million in the Public University Support Fund. And that amount has already inched up from the governor’s initial recommendation.
“When you look at the Public University Support Fund, the $900 million request, there’s a lot of positivity that we’ll get to that number,” Oregon State University’s executive director of government relations, Katie Fast, told the OSU board of trustees Friday.
The anticipated success for Public University Support Fund and Oregon Opportunity Grant funding is in part thanks to the incredible efforts of our Beaver Caucus volunteers. Thank you for your continued support!
Sincerely,
Bill Perry
President
The Beaver Caucus is an independent, alumni-led organization. It is a 501(c)4 with an independent board of directors. The Caucus works closely with the OSU Foundation to engage alumni and supporters, giving them the opportunity to amplify their voice and have a substantive impact on state government.
