SOU News Archives

Creative Industries will be consolidated at SOU Ashland

Creative Industries project gains legislative funding

Southern Oregon University is celebrating a piece of its future by acknowledging the Oregon Legislature’s recent approval of $40 million in capital construction bonds to update and consolidate SOU’s facilities for creative industries – music, media and film. The cross-disciplinary project will transform the university’s programs and help secure Oregon’s future as a national leader […]

SOU Ashland will rebuild itself, President Rick Bailey announced

SOU announces plan to rebuild itself in response to fiscal crises

(Ashland, Ore.) — Southern Oregon University President Rick Bailey announced today that the university will rebuild itself as an institution with a target of a $60 million annual budget – 15% lower than its current total – in response to devastating funding trends at both the state and federal levels. The university will rely, in […]

Town hall at SOU Ashland with Attorney General Dan Rayfield

SOU to facilitate AG’s town hall

(Ashland, Ore.) — Oregon Attorney Dan Rayfield will hold a town hall event from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday in the Rogue River Room of Southern Oregon University’s Stevenson Union. The event – part of the Rayfield’s ongoing series of “Safeguarding Oregon: Federal Oversight” meetings – will feature a panel with the attorney general, State […]

NSF grant on grasshoppers awarded to SOU Ashland biologist

SOU biologist receives NSF grant for grasshopper research

(Ashland, Ore.) — Southern Oregon University biologist Jacob Youngblood has been awarded a three-year, $422,183 grant from the National Science Foundation to study how insects respond to two aspects of climate change – rising air temperatures and declining plant nutrients – potentially improving pest management strategies and forecasts of insect-related damage nationwide. The study will […]

Solar energy project approved by students at SOU Ashland

SOU students step up for solar energy project

(Ashland, Ore.) — A solar energy project approved recently by Southern Oregon University’s student government will generate both electricity and a steady flow of income for the university’s Student Food Pantry. The Associated Students of SOU gave the go-ahead to spend $91,768 from the ASSOU Green Fund on a sustainability student’s proposal to replace an […]

OLLI at SOU members on trip to Talent Maker City

Where curious minds gather: OLLI at SOU Open House

No tests. No grades. Just the joy of learning and making connections. That’s the spirit behind the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Southern Oregon University (OLLI at SOU), a thriving community where adults aged 50 or better explore new interests, form lasting friendships and continue discovering the world around them. OLLI at SOU – entering […]

SOULA receives grant to create historic plastics database

SOU awarded grant to create historic plastics database

(Ashland, Ore.) — The Southern Oregon University Laboratory of Anthropology has been awarded a Preserving Oregon Grant from Oregon Heritage, the state historic preservation office, to create a digital, archaeological database of historic plastics – from buttons to knick-knacks to kitchenware. The $13,000 grant will help pay for new camera equipment that will be used […]

Older adult housing and education facility finalists come to campus

SOU considers partners for older adult housing and education facility

(Ashland, Ore.) — Southern Oregon University is in the process of selecting an official partner to build and operate a housing and educational facility for older adults on a 4.3-acre site previously occupied by the Cascade Complex of residence halls. “SOU is excited to continue advancing this initiative to identify a partner company that aligns […]

Sustainability Director Becs Walker among solar panels at SOU

SOU maintains “Gold” in prestigious sustainability rating

(Ashland, Ore.) — Southern Oregon University’s rating for campus-wide sustainability achievements remains at the “Gold” level and is the highest of five participating colleges and universities in Oregon, as measured by an evaluation system developed by the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE). SOU improved its score from three years ago […]

Surprise speaker Tina Kotek at SOU Ashland commencement

Commencement surprise: Gov. Kotek addresses SOU graduates

(Ashland, Ore.) — Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek surprised graduates and audience members by visiting Ashland to deliver the commencement address for Southern Oregon University’s class of 2025 on Saturday. The event – SOU’s 99th Commencement – marked the first time the governor has spoken at a graduation ceremony since taking office. “I know that young […]