Spring Break
Don't like proposed budget cuts? Head to capitol on Tuesday
OSU staff and students will perform and inform to discourage potentially devastating budget cuts
Rebecca Johnson
Issue date: 4/20/09 Section: News
OSU Day at the Capitol is happening tomorrow at the Capitol building in Salem to give students, faculty and alumni a chance to advocate first hand to legislators on issues regarding higher education.
The day will be full of activities, both entertaining and informative. Benny the Beaver will make an appearance and refreshments will be provided. There will be a reception at 4 p.m. in the Capitol Galleria, which will include informal mingling among attendees and speakers such as President Ed Ray and ASOSU President Ryan Mann.
There will be a performance by the OSU Chamber Choir. Bill Lunch, chair of OSU's political science department, will be presenting a lecture at 2 p.m., entitled "The 2009 Legislative Session, so far … ".
Several departments and groups from OSU will be setting up information booths.
All the festivities are meant to bring attention to concerns surrounding higher education these days.
The big issue this year is the proposition for an up to 30 percent, or $75 million, budget cut for OSU.
If it goes through, OSU would not just be cutting amenities or increasing fees to make up the difference, a 30 percent cut in state funding would cause substantial salary cuts and possible lay-offs, a 10 percent increase in tuition, entire majors and degrees cut and a decrease in the amount of students that would be accepted to OSU.
In statistics provided by Jock Mills, OSU Director of Government Relations, state general funds have increased over the last 20 years, but Oregon universities have seen little to no increase in the funding they receive.
In fact, higher education's piece of the pie has gone from about 15 percent 20 years ago to only 6 percent of state general funds today. Oregon ranks in the bottom 10 of the entire nation when it comes to funding for public universities.
The revenue forecast is expected to go out in May, with a final budget to be finalized in June.
It is for these reasons that those within the university are advocating for student involvement tomorrow on making sure legislators know the wants and needs of Oregon's higher education system.
The point of the event is also to provide a tangible representation of how OSU contributes to the Oregon community. This includes employing a staff of 5,000 and educating 20,000 students.
Everyone is encouraged to wear orange and black. For anyone interested in going, buses will be leaving from the MU at 2:30 and 3 p.m.
Rebecca Johnson, senior reporter
news@dailybarometer.com, 737-2231
The day will be full of activities, both entertaining and informative. Benny the Beaver will make an appearance and refreshments will be provided. There will be a reception at 4 p.m. in the Capitol Galleria, which will include informal mingling among attendees and speakers such as President Ed Ray and ASOSU President Ryan Mann.
There will be a performance by the OSU Chamber Choir. Bill Lunch, chair of OSU's political science department, will be presenting a lecture at 2 p.m., entitled "The 2009 Legislative Session, so far … ".
Several departments and groups from OSU will be setting up information booths.
All the festivities are meant to bring attention to concerns surrounding higher education these days.
The big issue this year is the proposition for an up to 30 percent, or $75 million, budget cut for OSU.
If it goes through, OSU would not just be cutting amenities or increasing fees to make up the difference, a 30 percent cut in state funding would cause substantial salary cuts and possible lay-offs, a 10 percent increase in tuition, entire majors and degrees cut and a decrease in the amount of students that would be accepted to OSU.
In statistics provided by Jock Mills, OSU Director of Government Relations, state general funds have increased over the last 20 years, but Oregon universities have seen little to no increase in the funding they receive.
In fact, higher education's piece of the pie has gone from about 15 percent 20 years ago to only 6 percent of state general funds today. Oregon ranks in the bottom 10 of the entire nation when it comes to funding for public universities.
The revenue forecast is expected to go out in May, with a final budget to be finalized in June.
It is for these reasons that those within the university are advocating for student involvement tomorrow on making sure legislators know the wants and needs of Oregon's higher education system.
The point of the event is also to provide a tangible representation of how OSU contributes to the Oregon community. This includes employing a staff of 5,000 and educating 20,000 students.
Everyone is encouraged to wear orange and black. For anyone interested in going, buses will be leaving from the MU at 2:30 and 3 p.m.
Rebecca Johnson, senior reporter
news@dailybarometer.com, 737-2231
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