A recent state report singled out Southern Oregon University as being financially unstable, but university officials say that report is based on unfair metrics and a poor funding model.
The reads, 鈥済iven declining enrollment and increasing expenses, the need remains clear to further reengineer the institution to identify opportunities while preserving academic quality.鈥�
But SOU general counsel Jason Catz says that report fails to mention that SOU gets less money than any other public university in Oregon besides Eastern Oregon University.
鈥淭here are ways in which we鈥檙e being starved a little bit, so we can鈥檛 be our best selves,鈥� Catz said at the SOU Board of Trustee meeting on Tuesday. 鈥淲e can鈥檛 be our most efficient. We can鈥檛 keep costs down the way 鈥� for students 鈥� the way we truly intend.鈥�
Every year, the Oregon Higher Education Coordinating Commission 鈥� or, HECC鈥� decides how to allocate state funds between its seven public universities. The commission uses a complex funding model that tends to favor technical education. Board members say the model disregards small, regional schools that excel in liberal arts degrees.
For the 2020 fiscal year, . By contrast, Oregon State University is projected to get the most state dollars at $134.8 million.
