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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Plans set for 30th annual Hiroshima-Nagasaki Vigil ... How'd you get into theater? 'The stage doors were open' ... Mix saw thousands of dollars go down the drain when water didn't ... Plans set for 30th annual Hiroshima-Nagasaki Vigil ... How'd you get into theater? 'The stage doors were open' ... Mix saw thousands of dollars go down the drain when water didn't ... OUR VIEW Our View: Tuition trauma Comment DailyTidings.com Writer Posted Mar. 19, 2015 at 12:01 AM Posted Mar. 19, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Social News A story in Tuesday's Tidings highlighted the sizable investment in capital improvements — to the tune of $132 million — being made on the Southern Oregon University campus. A Wednesday editorial dutifully noted that's a good thing, for both the university and the community. But another higher education story from Tuesday's paper shouldn't go without more notice: the story detailing the financial hardships faced by students at SOU and other Oregon universities in a state that ranks near the bottom in support for higher education. The "other" higher ed story told the stories of students dealing with what one described as a "predatory" system that puts students so deeply in debt that they are left struggling not only financially, but emotionally and psychologically. One student aiming for a master's in social work figured her debt would be $150,000, while an undergrad junior already had amassed $36,000 in debt, even as she worked 30 hours a week outside of school. No big mystery why the debt load is so high: Oregon ranks 47th in per-student funding for two- and four-year public institutions, while it is the 17th-most expensive. Do the math: It adds up to an empty checking account.  Oregon's higher education system is the only major portion of the state budget that has not been restored to 2007 funding levels. Oregon's 40-40-20 graduation goal is a hollow joke without adequate funding. Oregon's efforts to firm up its economic base are doomed to fail without an educated workforce. Is the Legislature sleeping in class again?   DailyTidings.com Writer Posted Mar. 19, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with DailyTidings.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Alerts Email alerts RSS feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. DailyTidings.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501