The State Board of Education asked all seven Oregon University System presidents to determine how much of a tuition increase, within a 2 to 5 percent range, will be needed for the 2001-2003 biennium at its meeting Friday, meaning some universities may experience a smaller tuition increase than originally anticipated.
Although nothing was finalized at the meeting at Western Oregon University in Monmouth, the board approved a plan to give all seven schools within the Oregon University System a 2 to 5 percent range in raising tuition for the next two years.
Tom Anderes, OUS vice chancellor for finance and administration, said implementing this plan depends on the outcome of the state budget. The most recent budget estimate is expected to increase higher education funding by $45 million. Anderes said that if this funding comes through, tuition increases may not be as high as expected.
“Most universities are in the position that if we get the $45 million back, we’d be looking at the lower end of this range,” he said.
But Anderes said funding is still uncertain, so using a range instead of one set increase amount will help save money while also giving each individual school exactly what it needs.
“We don’t know at what level that $45 million will be dealt with,” he said. “The universities have different needs, so we’re looking at this range to give them opportunities for flexibility.”
University presidents said they support the plan because it gives each school some leeway.
“I don’t know how much tuition backflow I’m going to need,” said Phillip Creighton, president of Eastern Oregon University. “Keeping a range open allows us a great deal of flexibility.”
Sara Hopkins-Powell, president of Southern Oregon University, agreed. She said the range accurately reflects what the schools will likely need.
“Two to 5 percent is what we feel we can live with,” she said.
Geri Richmond, a board member and a University of Oregon chemistry professor, supported the plan. She said because the Legislature has the final say in what tuition increases will be, the OUS needs to let it know exactly what it needs.
“When I have students bombarding me with questions about their tuition increasing, my response is to look at the Legislature,” she said.
University presidents are expected to report how much of an increase they will need at the June board meeting.
In other business Friday, the board approved naming the new Bend branch campus Oregon State University-Cascades Campus.
Fate of tuition hikes rests with presidents
Daily Emerald
April 22, 2001
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