Articles - Winter 2008 - return to index
Investing in Quality Education
-By Mary Spilde, President
Community colleges have a new opportunity to influence the state's investment in higher education.
Last fall, Oregon's governor established the Postsecondary Quality Education Commission to find out what it would take to ensure a quality, affordable college education for all Oregonians. In other words, how much should the state invest?
To answer that, the commission will address the needs of community college and university students, study the impact of using part-time faculty and graduate students, and identify key values in higher education such as career education. At the same time, the state will update its revenue forecasting process for community colleges.
The commission's work must be completed by fall 2008 for use in developing the state's next budget. This is a big chance to level the playing field for two-year colleges. In the past, K-12 has dominated legislative attention.
Lane is in a good position to guide the commission's work. I was appointed by the governor to co-chair the commission, and I
will work hard to raise awareness for community colleges and to advocate for your needs.
Thanks for your support.
—Mary Spilde, President
