PSU Magazine Fall 1993

e entered the 1993 Legislative session back in January with a simple three-part mission to convince Legislators and the public: that an investment in higher education is good public policy and is integral to economic development; that Portland tate and other institutions, through a constant proce of reorganization and reinvention, are becoming more effi– cient and more effective; and, PSU is a leader in collaborative approaches to providing academic and community ervice and in campus operations. Throughout these ion, we relied on ur alumni and friends to help deliver that message. I believe that final passage of the compromise higher education budget and the Oregon Lot– tery funding package is evidence of our success, and I want to thank particu lar– ly the Alumni Advocate for their consi tent support and as istance. It is due principally to the efforts of the Advocates and our friends in the private sector that we are able to view this most difficu lt of Legislative sessions in a somewhat p itive light. I would like to report briefly on the major aspects of the Legi lative es ion that will affect Portland tate tudents, faculty, and programs. The Higher Education Budget The final compromise higher education budget marked a significant improve– ment over higher education's position at the beginning of the session. The original governor's budget recom- 6 PSU Magazine mended $9.6 million in annual general fund reductions fo r PSU, of which about $1.5 million would be made up in tuition increases and approximately $8.l million ($8.5 million when ad– justed for inflat ion) in annual budget reductions. The compromise budget in– cludes an additiona l $20 million over the governor's recommendation to help maintain access and to provide essen– tial student and academic support ser– vices at Oregon State System of Higher Education (OSSHE) institutions. PSU could receive $3 to 3.4 million over the biennium ($1.5-1.7 million annually). Lottery funds for higher education In addition to the general fund alloca– tion for higher education, Oregon Lottery funds have been identified for some new initiatives and fo r some program which had been supported through general funds in the pa t but were in danger of elim ination due to budget cuts. A number of these proposal directly affect PSU. •:•Oregon Joint Graduate Schools of Business. This is a joint venture involving PSU, University of Oregon (UO) and other OSSHE institution focused on international business and human resource management/ employment relations. The program was developed at the reque t of Oregon bu inesses. Funding for the joint schools also wi ll allow PSU to maintain certain functions performed by the International Trade Institute ($2 million). •:•Oregon Joint Graduate Schools of Engineering. This is a joint program offered by PSU, O regon State University (OSU), UO and Oregon Graduate Institute. The lottery funding will allow extension of programs throughout the state and development of new graduat degrees in manufacturing engineering, com– puter cience, civil and mechanical engineering ($2 million). •:•MESA/SMILE. These programs, operated by PSU and OSU, target historically under-represented stu– dents in math and science-based fie lds in middle and high schools. C ritica l funding for these successful programs had been cut by school dis– trict due to Measure 5 ($800,000). Planning the 1993-95 budget At PSU, we are committed to use whatever funds we receive with great care. The fund approved over the original governor's recommendation will not be used to directly restore cuts already planned. Rather, we want to improve our capacity to provide those service remaining and have e tab– lished prioritie within three genera l area for 1993-95: •:•Rebuilding an adequate base for campus operations. Fund the com– plete schedu le of classe with an an– ticipated slight enrollment increase; restoration of some library acquisi– tions. •:•Enhancing productivity. Develop– ment of large classroom spaces; upgrading of the campus infrastruc– ture through the technology plan; restoration of ome student services in Admissions, Financial Aid and Registration; further implementation of Quality Initiative program to increase administrative efficiency. •:•Mission-related enhancements. Con– tinue Portland Agenda program which promote connections to other educational institutions and the com– munity, establishing a base for in– creased collaboration; continue the revi ion of the general education requirement, development of new program of study at the under– graduate and graduate level, support for curriculum development and teaching. As we move through this coming biennium and begin planning in earne t fo r the next one, I hope we can count on you r continued support. It was very important this year and will be even more o in the future. Judith A. Ramaley President