I spent much of last week in Portland. The Oregon State Board of Higher Education revised its meeting schedule a year or so ago to reduce the number of trips that Board members, presidents, and vice presidents had to make to Portland. Indeed, there are fewer meetings–but we’re up there for more days. (And last week it rained the whole time.)
At least I got to enjoy some of the last United flights between Medford and Portland. Coming soon: flying to San Francisco to get to Portland.
The meeting this week was a Board retreat focused on the probable financial challenges of the next two biennia—with Oregon still facing hefty shortfalls. Each OUS president reported on how we plan to help our institutions survive through several scenarios.
With strong enrollments and good planning, SOU is much better positioned than it was a couple of years ago. Nonetheless, like almost every other OUS institution, we face significant challenges if major cuts are combined with substantial cost increases.
The legislative session starts today (January 10). We continue to live in interesting times!
I spent most of last week in Portland—flying up Monday evening (October 4) and returning Friday evening. Friday was the regular meeting of the Oregon State Board of Higher Education. However, the Chancellor had scheduled a meeting for some of us on Wednesday, and our regular Presidents’ Council meeting was Thursday, so it made sense to schedule other Portland meetings with SOU donors as well as legislators and business folks.
I’m grateful to Steve Vincent, SOU alum and President’s Advisory Board member, for setting up some of these Portland meetings. For instance, we met with Wally Van Valkenburg, chair of the Economic Development Commission. (SOU Foundation Board member Anne Root serves on that Commission and was able to bring the Commission to SOU for a meeting last year.)
I also met with Don Krahmer, who serves on the Board of the Oregon Business Council and other entities focused on statewide economic development.
It’s important to help Portland-based people remember the contributions that SOU makes to the economic development and the professional workforce of southern Oregon. And I was particularly pleased to convey so much good news about SOU this fall.
Liz Shelby, in her role as legislative liaison, and I also took this opportunity in Portland to meet with Senator Mark Haas and Representative Mary Nolan. I could share good news with them—but also discuss issues that will affect SOU in the upcoming legislative session.
It was a busy week. Each day was packed. Hopefully, the various meetings increased the understanding of some key folks in Portland about SOU—and the significant contributions we make to the region and the state.