Commission to identify funding needs for OUS

Gov. Ted Kulongoski signed two executive orders regarding funding for higher education Aug. 28.

Gov. Ted Kulongoski signed two executive orders regarding funding for higher education Aug. 28.

One of the orders will establish the Postsecondary Quality Education Commission, geared toward creating a new model that identifies major funding needs for universities and community colleges in Oregon.

The primary goal of the commission is to determine what funding is necessary in order to offer quality and affordable higher education at universities and community colleges across Oregon.

The governor’s second order will seek new approaches for developing and determining funding needs for community colleges. It will also determine a budget level for a new support fund designed for community colleges, offering a more precise picture of which resources are necessary to support those institutions.

“This commission is really trying to decide what level of funding is necessary to ensure a high-quality education,” said Di Saunders, Oregon University System’s director of communications.

Ed Ray, president of Oregon State University, and Mary Spilde, president of Lane Community College, were selected as chair members for the Postsecondary Quality Education Commission.