---
kind: section
source_pdf: oregon-prosperity-council-report-june-2026.pdf
fingerprint: 8ac9aef8ca1b
page_range: [336, 338]
breadcrumb: ["Appendix E: Submissions & Feedback", "37. Oregon Public University Presidents"]
source_links:
  pdf: "https://www.oregon.gov/gov/Documents/Oregon%20Prosperity%20Council%20Report_June%202026.pdf#page=336"
  raw_pages:
    - "../../.extracted/pages/page-0336.txt"
    - "../../.extracted/pages/page-0337.txt"
    - "../../.extracted/pages/page-0338.txt"
---

# 37. Oregon Public University Presidents

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## TL;DR  *(generated · confidence: high)*

The Oregon Public University Presidents submitted a memorandum advocating for increased state funding, formal inclusion in economic development planning, and workforce development partnerships. They argue public universities are essential economic multipliers generating over $10 billion in annual impact and providing critical talent pipelines, but Oregon ranks 46th nationally in per-student appropriations, with students covering two-thirds of costs.

**Key points** *(each cites a PDF page)*:

- Oregon's public universities generate over $10 billion in annual impact ([p. 336](https://www.oregon.gov/gov/Documents/Oregon%20Prosperity%20Council%20Report_June%202026.pdf#page=336))
- Oregon ranks 46th nationally in per-student appropriations ([p. 336](https://www.oregon.gov/gov/Documents/Oregon%20Prosperity%20Council%20Report_June%202026.pdf#page=336))
- Public universities produce more than 20,000 graduates each year ([p. 336](https://www.oregon.gov/gov/Documents/Oregon%20Prosperity%20Council%20Report_June%202026.pdf#page=336))
- Approximately 85% of personal income tax revenue is paid by those with bachelor's degrees or higher ([p. 336](https://www.oregon.gov/gov/Documents/Oregon%20Prosperity%20Council%20Report_June%202026.pdf#page=336))
- Students now cover about two-thirds of university costs compared to the state's one-third ([p. 336](https://www.oregon.gov/gov/Documents/Oregon%20Prosperity%20Council%20Report_June%202026.pdf#page=336))
- For every $1 spent on public universities, over $10 is returned to the state's economy ([p. 337](https://www.oregon.gov/gov/Documents/Oregon%20Prosperity%20Council%20Report_June%202026.pdf#page=337))
- Request to formally include universities in industry recruitment, regional planning, and workforce development boards ([p. 337](https://www.oregon.gov/gov/Documents/Oregon%20Prosperity%20Council%20Report_June%202026.pdf#page=337))
- Request to develop workforce-aligned investment pools and expand capacity in high-demand programs ([p. 337](https://www.oregon.gov/gov/Documents/Oregon%20Prosperity%20Council%20Report_June%202026.pdf#page=337))
- Request to maintain and expand funding for University Innovation Research Fund ([p. 337](https://www.oregon.gov/gov/Documents/Oregon%20Prosperity%20Council%20Report_June%202026.pdf#page=337))

Amounts: over $10 billion in annual impact · nearly $20 billion when including OHSU's academic and hospital operations · 85% · 46th nationally in per-student appropriations · more than 20,000 graduates each year · Dates/FTE: May 13th, 2026 · Programs: Public University Support Fund · Future Ready Oregon · University Innovation Research Fund · Parties: Governor's Prosperity Council · Curtis Robinhold · Renee James · Portland State University

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> **Source:** PDF [pp. 336-338](https://www.oregon.gov/gov/Documents/Oregon%20Prosperity%20Council%20Report_June%202026.pdf#page=336) · raw: [336](../../.extracted/pages/page-0336.txt) · [337](../../.extracted/pages/page-0337.txt) · [338](../../.extracted/pages/page-0338.txt)

Breadcrumb: Appendix E: Submissions & Feedback > 37. Oregon Public University Presidents

---
MEMORANDUM
To: Curtis Robinhold, Renee James
Co-Chairs, Governor’s Prosperity Council
From: Oregon Public University Presidents
Date: May 13th, 2026
Subject: Prosperity Council Higher Education Roundtable Follow-Up
Dear Co-Chairs Robinhold and James and Members of the Governor’s Prosperity Council,
Thank you for your time and for your interest in the role that Oregon’s public universities play in
creating a prosperous future for our state. We greatly appreciate your work towards
collaboratively building that future.
As we discussed, we firmly believe that public universities are foundational to Oregon’s current
and future economy. If we are serious about improving Oregon’s economic outlook, accessible,
affordable, high-quality, industry-aligned higher education must be included every step of the
way.
Oregon’s public universities play a major economic role, generating over $10 billion in annual
impact (or nearly $20 billion when including OHSU’s academic and hospital operations) and
producing more than 20,000 graduates each year who benefit from higher earnings, lower
unemployment, and stronger career prospects. Some important figures to note include:
- Approximately 85% of personal income tax revenue is paid by those with bachelor’s
degrees or higher.
- Industry surveys consistently rank access to a skilled and educated workforce as
the top factor in site selection for large, high-wage employers.
However, Oregon’s public four-year universities face growing financial pressure, as costs,
especially benefits, are rising faster than revenues despite efficient operations.
At the same time, Oregon significantly underfunds its public universities, ranking 46th nationally
in per-student appropriations. This gap has shifted more of the financial burden onto students,
leading to higher tuition, with students now covering about two-thirds of costs compared to the
state’s one-third.
Universities want to be part of the solution. We should be a key part of Oregon's prosperity and
business development plans. Across the nation, we see that states with robust business
climates include their public universities as active partners in these efforts. Workforce and

innovation are critical for companies and essential in recruiting and retaining businesses. We all
are willing and ready to partner in these efforts.
Specifically, we want to highlight the five following recommendations:
- Sustain and strengthen base funding for public universities
- Ensure Public University Support Fund, Statewide Public Services, State
Programs, and student financial aid are sufficient to provide stability of core
programs
- Maintain Oregon’s long-term talent pipeline without further placing the burden on
students and families
- Support universities in managing costs from increasing retirement and healthcare
obligations
- Active university engagement in economic development planning
- Formally include public universities in state programs for:
- Industry recruitment
- Regional planning
- Workforce development boards
- Regional economic development strategies
- Develop workforce-aligned investment pools
- Flex Future Ready Oregon programs and create targeted funding streams for
universities to:
- Expand capacity in high-demand programs
- Launch rapid credentialing and reskilling programs
- Respond quickly to employer needs
- Create a statewide work-based learning initiative
- Establish incentives (grants or tax credits) for employers to provide:
- Paid internships
- Apprenticeships
- Cooperative education opportunities
- Focus particularly on small and mid-sized businesses and rural communities.
- Invest in research and innovation through existing programs
- Maintain and expand funding for programs such as the University Innovation
Research Fund, which:
- Attract federal and private R&D dollars
- Support commercialization and startup activity
- Strengthen Oregon’s position in emerging industries
We recognize the difficult budget environment that the state faces, and we want to emphasize
that public universities, and indeed these recommendations, serve as multipliers for state
resources. For every $1 spent on public universities, over $10 is returned to the state’s
economy.

Again, we thank you for your time and consideration of these proposals. Oregon’s public
universities stand ready to serve the state and your efforts in any way we can. We are optimistic
about the critical role universities can play in renewing Oregon’s economic promise.
Please don’t hesitate to reach out to any of us if we can be of further assistance.
Ann Cudd Jesse Peters
President, Portland State University President, Western Oregon University
Kelly Ryan Nagi Naganathan
President, Eastern Oregon University President, Oregon Institute of Technology
Jayathi Murthy Rick Bailey
President, Oregon State University President, Southern Oregon University
Karl Scholz Shereef Elnahal
President, University of Oregon President, Oregon Health & Science University

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Parent: [Appendix E: Submissions & Feedback](./INDEX.md) · PDF: [pp. 336-338](https://www.oregon.gov/gov/Documents/Oregon%20Prosperity%20Council%20Report_June%202026.pdf#page=336)