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SOU students rally for funding By TONY BOOM SALEM � Chanting "Stay on track. Don�t go back," 30 Southern Oregon University students and boosters joined higher education advocates in a rally to support adequate funding for the state�s universities Tuesday morning on the Capitol steps. A crowd estimated at 2,000 to 2,500 heard legislators from both parties, students, faculty, staff and supporters speak against reductions. SOU�s contingent visited members of the Southern Oregon legislative delegation before and after the rally that began at 10:30 a.m. Gov. John Kitzhaber has proposed a higher education budget that is $96 million short of the amount needed to sustain activities at their current level for two years beginning July 1. For SOU, that means a $4.2 million reduction. "What we heard from a lot of people today is that higher education is a priority for Oregon, and they were going to look at how to put additional money into higher education," said SOU Interim President Sara Hopkins-Powell, who was at the rally. Hopkins-Powell and Rogue Community College President Rick Levine testified before an education subcommittee of the Ways and Means Committee on regional funding to provide access to higher education. The governor has proposed eliminating those funds for the next biennium. "We are in this place where the Legislature is going through the budget but not making hard decisions yet," said Hopkins-Powell. "They are waiting until the numbers are finalized with the May revenue projections." Revenue projections in March showed a decrease of $108 million from earlier projections of $12.3 billion. The governor�s proposed budget totals $12 billion. Hopkins-Powell said SOU has not started to explore possible reductions to match the governor�s proposal. She hopes a reserve fund of about $1 million, additional money from projected enrollment increases and possible additions to the budget by the Legislature will get the institution through the first year of the biennium. The Legislature has proposed adding back $29 million for higher education above the governor�s recommendation. "If we have to make cuts, we would do it in the second year," said Hopkins-Powell. "It�s very late in the year to make significant change, but we would take savings where we find them." Hopkins-Powell said SOU is continuing with current position searches to fill projected enrollment needs. No new positions have been created, she added. "We got additional funding in the last session and it kind of feels like we are slipping back," said rally participant Sue Densmore, president of SOU�s Regional Advisory Board. "(The speakers) were pretty aggressive in their requests for higher education and its importance for economic development and the future of Oregon." Students expressed concerns that a proposed 4 percent tuition increase each year would reduce access to higher education, said SOU Student Body President Scott Young, who rode the bus to the rally. "After years of disinvestment, and then seeing a turnaround, you don�t want to go back," said Young. "The governor�s budget cuts a great deal out of current services. We will be paying more to receive less." Under a budget system adopted two years ago, Oregon institutions retain tuition money on campus rather than pooling it. Campuses that have enrollment increases benefit, but those with declines receive less money. SOU saw a decrease in enrollment for fall term of 2000 to 5,511 from 5,772 in fall 1999. But unlike previous years, enrollment rose slightly for winter term. Budget Director Lynn Paulson said if the trend continues for spring term, SOU�s end-of-the-year budget settlement with the state system of higher education should be close to the $36.2 million in projected expenses. Reach Ashland bureau reporter Tony Boom at 482-4651, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.