New funding model suggested for Portland State

The Oregon University System released a report today recommending a restructure to the funding model of Oregon’s largest universities.

The 30-page report, commissioned from David Frohnmayer, former University of Oregon president, outlines a public corporation funding model for Portland State, University of Oregon and Oregon State University, said Portland State President Wim Wiewel in an address to the Student Senate Tuesday evening.

Wiewel has already begun drafting a “white paper,” or working document, to be circulated on campus within a week that will aim to encourage dialogue among students, faculty and staff about the proposal, said Lois Davis, Wiewel’s chief of staff.

In the document, Wiewel will recommend the need for a funding floor so that no additional cuts can be made to the already-nominal state budget for higher education. He said the amount of money spent per student is about $1,000 less than it was 20 years ago, which, when adjusted for inflation, equates to about half as much total spending.

“On the whole, the current model has not served us well,” Wiewel said.

Wiewel requested that the Senate consider forming a committee to address the issue of changes to the university’s funding model, and that the faculty Senate plans to do the same.

“The [public corporation] model would by no means be the salvation,” Wiewel said. “It wouldn’t necessarily create more money for the university in itself, but would give more flexibility in order to address the looming financial challenges.”

He also said that this is just a recommendation, and it is unknown at this time if the issue will gain traction in the state government.

Student Senator Christopher Proudfoot said this issue has been raised before and asked Wiewel why he thinks this time might be different.

“Because the financial situation is so dire,” Wiewel replied. “There are no prospects that the state will be able to address additional funding for higher education in the foreseeable future. They’ve run out of solutions.”