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Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend April 13, 2005 Hearing draws an overflow crowd Supporters of Oregon’s community colleges urge legislators to increase their funding By DON JEPSEN for the Mail Tribune SALEM — The first public hearing on the budget for Oregon’s 17 community colleges drew a huge crowd of students, faculty, administrators and business interests to the Capitol Tuesday. The Ways and Means subcommittee on education opened hearings on a proposed $416 million appropriation for the 2005-07 biennium as the state’s share in operating costs for the two-year institutions. The community colleges are seeking $440 million. The crowd packed a hearing room, then spilled out into two other hearing rooms to watch the proceedings on closed-circuit television. Even the overflow rooms were packed, forcing many to watch on TV monitors in front of the Senate and House chambers. Peter Angstadt, president of Rogue Community College, watched but did not testify because of lack of time; neither did four RCC students who traveled to Salem. Instead, they lobbied Jackson County legislators for more funding before getting in their cars and heading home. Asked if the Legislature would approve the $440 million, Angstadt said he didn’t know if lawmakers would go that high. "But we may get close," he said. "I’m hopeful." Advertisement Chuck Clemans of Oregon City, president of the Oregon Community Colleges Association, said he thinks the figure can be pushed to $428 million or $430 million. "This kind of turnout will help," he said. Witnesses were given about three minutes each to speak. Many said the two-year schools were their only lifeline to better-paying jobs, adding the fastest-growing occupations require an associate of arts degree. Several business groups testified that the trained work force provided by community colleges was one of the main reasons they were able to compete in the marketplace. "More than 500 Oregon businesses depend on community colleges to provide customized training each year," said Harvey Mathews of Associated Oregon Industries. AOI is the largest business association in the state, with 23,000 members, Mathews noted. "These AOI members are overwhelmingly supportive of the community college system in Oregon," he said. Portland Community College President Preston Pulliams said budget reductions since 2001, coupled with increasing tuition and a cutback in classes, has resulted in an enrollment drop of 75,000 students — 20,000 at PCC alone. "These are students who want job training and education so they can work," he said, "but they have been shut out." Dr. David Trump, a member of the RCC board of directors, testified in support of a Southern Oregon University-Rogue Community College joint education center in downtown Medford. The project was included in the governor’s budget. The hearing continues through Thursday. Don Jepsen is a freelance writer living in Salem. Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2005 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback www.bingo.com Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker dvd-r Distance Education Computer Security Ztechmedia Website Hosting Student Loans tcg student loan consolidation Online Pharmacy online casino Myspace Home Equity Loans Windermere Van Vleet Rogue Valley Travel Reservationstogo Hotel Reservations Southern Oregon Loans Online Casino News Natto Kinase Nattokinase Casino Gambling Sites Budget Website Templates Advertisement s