Gov. Kulongoski proposes $917 million for higher ed.

Oregon Gov. Ted Kulongoski proposed that $917 million be allocated for the 2009-11 higher education budget yesterday morning, a 5 percent increase over the 2007-09 higher education budget, according to the Oregon University System.

The governor’s proposed budget is split into four points:

Student successUnder Kulongoski’s proposed budget, state higher education institutions would receive increased funding, which would help pay for instruction while helping to maintain more students through retention and academic support programs.

University affordability If there is one issue that students care about, it is the cost of school. Under Kulongoski’s proposed budget, state tuition increases will continue to be capped at 3.6 percent per year.

Additionally, the Oregon Opportunity Grant, which allows students to go to college through scholarships, would receive an increase to $163 million under Kulongoski’s proposal, up from its current $106 million level. The Oregon Opportunity Grant is funded through the Oregon Student Assistance Commission.

Capital construction and deferred maintenanceKulongoski also proposed $980 million be allocated for capital construction projects to fix and improve university buildings, such as Portland State’s own Lincoln Hall. Placing continued importance on capital construction will also help in the creation of almost 20,000 construction and construction-related jobs in the state, according to an OUS press release.

Construction highlights:–$103.8 million for deferred maintenance—$250 million for the Life Sciences Collaborative Complex, a research facility with collaborating faculty from PSU, the Oregon Health and Sciences University, Oregon State University, University of Oregon and the Oregon Institute of Technology–$80 million for the Oregon Center for Sustainability–$74.9 million for renewable energy projects across the state, such as the expansion of an OIT geothermal energy plant in Klamath Falls

Green and renewable technologyThe governor’s proposed budget also included new investments in green and energy-efficient technologies to further the state’s sustainable reputation and practices. Some projects include $325,000 to the Climate Change Research Institute at OSU for state-related research and $42.5 million to the Engineering and Technology Industry Council for continued investments in clean technologies.

What OUS says“Well number one, we’re pleased to be a priority,” said Jay Kenton, vice chancellor of Finance and Administration for OUS. “His [Kulongoski’s] continued commitment to the educational enterprise, I think, is very reassuring to us.”

Kenton said that OUS will continue to focus on its goals of student success and affordability, as well as infrastructure. He is pleased that Kulongoski’s proposed budget aligns with OUS’s goals on these topics, he said.

The green element of Kulongoski’s budget is also a good thing for the state, Kenton said.

“I like the investment in clean technologies,” he said. “I just philosophically agree with that, and I think it’s going to bode well with the Oregon system of higher education.”

Kenton also said that although OUS members are remaining optimistic, there is some concern over the economy.

“I think this is just the beginning,” he said. “There’s a lot of trepidation about how far recess could go and how long it could last.”

What ASPSU says“I would say that my initial reaction would be cautious optimism,” said Zach Martinson, Associated Students of Portland State University’s legislative affairs director.

Martinson said he has seen other promising governor’s budgets chopped down simply because of the different committees that it must go through before it reaches approval.

“On the one hand it’s a great start, but on the other hand it has many more chopping blocks to go though.”

Martinson said he was excited that education continues to be a priority to Kulongoski, but wanted the governor’s proposed budget to do a little more.

“I was kind of hoping for the wording that they [the governor’s office] were going to fully fund theshared responsibility model,” said Martinson, referring to the statewide higher education agenda that eases the cost of college for students in Oregon.

He also said the collaborative life sciences building was an exciting development, creating a “living lab” for sustainable projects at PSU and in Portland, as well as other OUS schools.

“I think it’s going to give us a lot of really good opportunities,” Martinson said.

However, it remains to be seen what Kulongoski’s budget will look like after going through the state Legislature, he said.

“I’ve seen a really good governor’s budget turned into nothing by the committee that goes through the process,” he said. “This is just the beginning of the battle.”