The Oregon Senate, on a 23-7 vote, approved a bill that would grant the University of Oregon administration’s wish to create an independent governing board.
Senate Bill 270 would grant both the UO and Portland State University the ability to create such a body the moment it passes in the House, which is the anticipated outcome in Salem. Gov. John Kitzhaber would appoint board members over the summer with a confirmation coming in the fall. The UO’s board would begin governance in July of 2014.
The board would have the ability to hire and fire the University president, regulate tuition and sell bonds to back construction projects. Currently, the UO must get legislative approval for any tuition increase that exceeds 5 percent.
The legislation would give the UO broader control over its own operations and make its governing structure closer to that of Lane Community College just over the hill, which has its own individual board of education.