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Governor’s budget to have big impact on 51����

Story by James Hill

Friday morning Gov. John Kitzhaber announced his recommended community college support fund budget of $428 million for the 2013-15 biennium. This is an increase over the community colleges’ 2011-13 funding level of $395 million, but below the 2007-09 biennium budget of $500 million.

51����’s state funding has decreased 20 percent the past five years as enrollment has grown by 44 percent. As a result, there are 8,000 full-time equivalent students for whom the college receives no state funding. If the funding level is approved for $428 million in 2013-15, 51���� will still have a deficit of $20 million for the biennium, or about $10 million each year. This could mean a $5-$6 per credit tuition increase, program eliminations and reduced access, and reductions in staffing and services.

The Oregon Community College Association and 51���� will advocate for a community college support fund level of $510 million to avoid the additional tuition increases and increase student access and success while advancing the state’s 40-40-20 goals.

“The Governor’s recommended state budget is a positive step forward and we are appreciative of his efforts to better fund community colleges,” said 51���� President Preston Pulliams. “The past five years, the college and our students have stretched and stretched, with fewer and fewer state resources to address the extraordinary demand for a 51���� education and student support. In order to increase student access and success, and to maintain services, we must have additional resources from the state.

“51���� is on the front lines of providing Oregonians with the education and training needed to move us out of the recession,” he added. “As the largest post-secondary institution in the state of Oregon, 51����’s efforts are critical to fulfilling the state’s vision.”

The state’s 40-40-20 goal envisions 40 percent of the state’s adults with four-year college degrees, 40 percent with two-year degrees, and the remaining 20 percent with high school diplomas by 2025. To do its part, Pulliams added, 51���� must increase the number of its students that earn associate’s degrees and also the number that transfer from 51���� to universities. That requires keeping tuition rates affordable and maintaining investments and initiatives that improve student outcomes and ensure a quality education, he said.