For the Mail Tribune
SALEM — The president of Southern Oregon University joined her peers Monday in touting their educational programs but not shying away from the financial dilemmas they face.
The occasion was a hearing before a House subcommittee on higher education.
Mary Cullinan, the new SOU president, said financial problems threaten the viability of many of the institutions. Declining enrollments, inadequate state support and tuition rates many can't afford all play a role, she said.
These issues will be discussed in greater detail at a joint House-Senate Education Committee hearing in Ashland Feb. 23.
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Cullinan said SOU is laying the groundwork for a plan that addresses an anticipated $4 million shortfall caused primarily by a loss of tuition revenues.
"We've lost 500 to 600 students in the last year," she said. Some staff and program cuts have been made, with the final round of reductions to be announced March 5.
In an interview, Cullinan said she wanted to relay to the committee how valuable a resource SOU is to Southern Oregon, "while at the same time to allay any fears they may have that our budget tightening is affecting our quality."
Cullinan said the governor's proposed budget — it earmarks an additional $9 million for regional schools — is "absolutely crucial."
Also appearing were the presidents of Eastern Oregon University, Western Oregon University, Oregon Institute of Technology and Oregon State University Cascade Campus in Bend.
Asked if the Legislature might come through with additional funding, Cullinan replied that she was "very hopeful. ... But at this point I think we would all be very grateful if (the governor's budget) emerges intact," she said.
Don Jepsen is a freelance writer living in Salem. Reach him at jepsen34@open.org.
