Higher Ed Reform Bill Heads to Full Ways and Means Committee

Yesterday the Education Subcommittee of Ways and Means sent SB 242 to the full Ways and Means Committee with a do-pass recommendation. SB 242, a huge priority for the business community, establishes a Higher Education Coordinating Council, giving OUS significantly more autonomy from the state legislature. Currently, the legislature votes on over two thousand line items in the higher education budget despite the fact that state funding for higher education has declined precipitously and now represents just a small portion of the Oregon University System Budget. SB 242 redefines the Oregon University System as a public university system with greater authority to manage affairs, operations and obligations.