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CLEAR Temp: 77 °F Wind: WNW at 4 mph Friday, August 15, 2003 SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA HomeLife Magazine W3 Magazine Jobs @ Mail Tribune Tempo A & E Oregon CarZone Wellness Connection Real Estate Newspaper in Education Prime Times Outdoor Journal Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find Everything E SOUTHERN OREGON Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar ABOUT US FAQ What's New Advertise Home Delivery Classified Ad Contact Us Media Kit Email Story to a Friend July 30, 2003 Universities call for technology funds By TONY BOOM Mail Tribune ASHLAND — Oregon’s higher education leaders are fighting to keep $20 million that — if it survives the legislative budget process — would be used to upgrade engineering and technology in the state university system. Southern Oregon University President Elisabeth Zinser and Oregon Institute of Technology President Martha Anne Dow said Tuesday that the Legislature’s Ways and Means co-chairs budget would cut the $20 million. That would jeopardize $2 million in improvements for OIT and $960,000 for SOU. "The $20 million in lottery funds is just minutia in terms of what this can accomplish," Dow said in a meeting at SOU. "We’ve got to be ready for the next wave of technology." "The Legislature is hesitating to take on the debt, yet all of our institutions have a good debt load in contrast to other universities and colleges in the nation," said Zinser. "It’s not a high risk to take." Advertisement An Engineering and Technology Industry Council helps the Legislature determine use of engineering investment funds. During the 2001-03 biennium, the state supplied $22.5 million for operations, which was matched by $37.5 million in private funds. The council asked for $40 million in operating funds for the current biennium, but the governor and co-chairs recommended $22 million in operating funds, with another $20 million in lottery bonds proposed by the governor. The money raised by the bonds could be used only for capital improvements, not for operations. State Rep. Alan Bates, D-Ashland, said legislators were concerned with the speed in which the capital improvement list was produced after the bonding proposal surfaced. "In one week they come up with a list of how to spend the $20 million," said Bates. "That’s the part that concerns us. It’s in serious trouble, (but) I’m going to support it." Sen. Lenn Hannon, R-Ashland, who also supports the plan, said other members in the Legislature are concerned about indebtedness even though they realize it’s a one-time authorization. "I certainly feel that it’s an investment that we can help make for job creations," said Hannon. At SOU, the funds would bolster new programs in computer security and materials research. A center for information security and assurance would be established. It would be critical in an application to the National Security Agency for certification as a center of excellence. SOU would receive $666,000 for the facilities and would raise an additional $300,000. "I’m confident we can do $300,000," said Zinser. "But it will be a real push." OIT would use the funds to enhance its renewable energy center, to develop electronic and multimedia education for the center and to upgrade broadband infrastructure to provide higher speed information transmissions not available in the Klamath Basin. While the $20 million is at risk, the $22 million for general operations also is up in the air as the entire state budget is uncertain, said Zinser. Reach Ashland bureau reporter Tony Boom at 482-4651, or e-mail [email protected] Printer Friendly Version Email Story to a Friend Subscribe Archive: Click to Search Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2003 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Rogue Valley Auto Finder Rogue Valley Job Finder --> Rogue Valley Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Real Estate Showcase Food for Thought Hike of the Week Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Openings Prime Times