"Oregon's Higher Education Coordinating Commission is recommending that the state's public colleges and universities pursue "institutional integration"-everythingfrom sharing services and programs to full mergers. It is also seeking the power to renew, or terminate, academic programs. The commissioners approved a document Tuesday with five recommendations, and integration and program review were listed first. Ben Cannon, the commission's executive director, said the vote was 13 to 2."
"The report says public universities will run out of money in a few years if they don't continue to reduce costs. It cites "slowing growth forecasts for state revenue" and insufficient expected enrollment growth, adding that "especially given Oregon universities' unusually high dependence on tuition for revenue, this creates an unsustainable dynamic.""
"While the report doesn't recommend recreating a statewide university system, it endorses "increasing systemness," saying, "Only a few high-growth states can still afford a system of higher education built on the 'every campus for itself' model." The commission's integration recommendation goes beyond just the universities-it says the State Legislature should direct the commission, "in consultation with all of Oregon's public higher education institutions, including community colleges," to come up with one or more proposals for integration by next January."
The Higher Education Coordinating Commission recommends institutional integration for Oregon's public colleges and universities, ranging from shared services and programs to full mergers. The commission seeks authority to periodically review, renew, or terminate degree programs. Commissioners approved five recommendations with a 13-to-2 vote. Forecasts show universities face unsustainable finances due to slowing state revenue growth, insufficient enrollment growth, and high tuition dependence. Without continued cost reductions, universities risk exhausting fund balances within three to five years or making substantial annual cuts. The commission asks the Legislature to require development of integration proposals, including regional service combinations with community colleges.
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