Oregon is cutting funding for higher education at a rate higher than any other state in the country, according to a study released this month.
The study, conducted by the National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education, concluded that Oregon had the highest decrease in state funding for colleges and universities — 11 percent — making Oregon’s current economic situation the worst for affordability in the nation.
The results of the study follow a continuing trend of degrading affordability in Oregon. Last year, the same public policy group gave Oregon an “F” in affordability, down from a “D-” in 2000.
“I think it’s a sad day,” said Loren Stubbert, Oregon University System assistant vice chancellor for budget operations and planning. “It’s extremely frustrating.”
Stubbert said it was startling that Oregon was ranked number 50, which was definitely not the end of the scale he would like to see the state on, but not surprising because Oregon’s recession is lingering longer than in other states. This prolonged slump is forcing the state — which has already made $88 million in cuts from its approved 2001 budget — to make choices about which essential services to fund first.
“I think we’re certainly deserving and in need,” he said. “But at the same time, we have to recognize competing demands.”
Oregon Student Association Executive Director Alisa Simmons said that although the group plans on fighting hard for more funding, the future looks grim for the growing margin of people who need aid.
“We can’t keep locking folks out of an education,” she said.
But with the economy in such a dire state and no solutions on the horizon, Stubbert said the state may have to decrease enrollment to maintain services.
“We have to consider that as one possible option,” he said. “But it’s not the first option we want to consider.”
The study also found that Oregon was one of a few states that actually cut financial aid to schools while increasing tuition. Oregon has cut financial aid by 10 percent so far this year and increased tuition by an average of 7 percent.
The University has already slashed $7 million from its academic budget this year, a cut University officials have attributed to economic downfalls and across-the-board cuts to education.
ASUO President Rachel Pilliod said she was not surprised by the study, which she called “abhorrent.”
“I think we’ve had it coming for a long time,” she said. But “students are going to suffer as a result.”
Pilliod added that the study was evidence that the state needs to start planning for education funding from kindergarten through undergraduate course work, not just K-12, if it wants to have a successful educational system.
“I think it’s going to show that Oregon really needs to prioritize education as a whole,” she said.