Richard Jarvis addresses a town hall meeting Tuesday in the Knight Library.
Oregon University System Chancellor Richard Jarvis dismissed the state’s recent financial shortcomings in higher education Tuesday during his first public appearance at the University.
Under the terms of “The Deal” — OUS’s answer to funding problems — if the state doesn’t fulfill its end of the bargain, the University would have to either cap enrollment or raise tuition.
Speaking to about 85 community members and University administrators, Jarvis backed away from questions about how the state would be able to adequately fund its seven public universities, and instead repeatedly referred to “The Deal” as a viable solution.
“We don’t want to pre-judge and imagine that bad things could happen,” Jarvis said.
In the agreement — which would split expenses between universities, students and the state — up to 50 percent of higher education costs would be absorbed by students. No ceiling was set on tuition limits, however.
Meanwhile, universities likely would be granted greater autonomy from OUS, and the state would agree to slightly increase the minimum level of funding for higher education. Currently, Oregon institutions receive funding at only 77 percent of the median, in comparison to similar systems nationally.
But if the state fails to meet its end of the bargain, “The Deal” ensures that students, through restricted enrollment or higher costs, will bear the repercussions.
During his two-hour presentation, Jarvis said students should carry a “fair share” of educational costs in Oregon. Ironically, OUS received an “F” for affordability this year in an annual report issued by the National Center for Public Policy in Higher Education.
The meeting also served as an opportunity for participants to discuss ramifications of “The Deal.”
Ward 3 City Councilor David Kelly, who represents the University area, asked Jarvis how the plan could inspire local support for higher education, and Eugene Mayor Jim Torrey said the question should also be answered on a statewide level.
“Somebody in Burns does not care about what you described,” Torrey said of “The Deal.”
University Spanish instructor Bryan Moore questioned Jarvis, to no avail, about the low pay many non-tenure employees receive and asked the chancellor what he would do to ensure better compensation.
College of Education Dean Marty Kaufman, speaking as a citizen and not as a faculty member, emphasized the need to change citizens’ minds about the negative implication of taxes.
“Taxes are about letting us compete better,” he said.
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