Public universities, students and staff urge $1.275 billion for core operations and expanded grants at SB 5525 hearing

Dr. Jesse Peters, president of Western Oregon University, told the Joint Committee on Ways and Means Subcommittee on Education on April 30 that "we cannot build a stronger Oregon if our students can't afford to enroll in college, or don't have the resources to succeed once they get there." The informational meeting and public hearing on Senate Bill 5525 brought presidents of Oregon's seven public universities, students, classified staff and campus service providers to testify in favor of increasing state investments in higher education.

The core ask at the hearing was twofold: fully fund the Public University Support Fund (PUSF) at $1,275,000,000 for the 2025–27 biennium and increase the Oregon Opportunity Grant (OOG) by roughly $150,000,000. University leaders and enrollment officials said those increases would lower net costs for low‑ and middle‑income students, allow campuses to expand need‑based awards and preserve services that support retention and graduation.

Nut graf: Speakers said Oregon funds public universities at a lower rate than peer states, shifting costs to students and families. Witnesses tied those funding shortfalls to higher tuition and to cuts or gaps in campus services that help students persist, including financial aid, basic‑needs supports, early‑college transition programs and campus childcare.

Details and testimony

Dr. Chuck Nefley, vice president for…