Oregon Revised Statutes
The Legislative Assembly finds that: For its survival and political well-being, Oregon needs wise and effective leadership and an informed citizenry. For its survival and economic well-being, Oregon needs able and imaginative men and women for the direction and operation of all its institutions, for the production of goods and services and for the manageme…
In addition to making the findings under ORS 350.001, the Legislative Assembly finds that: Oregonians need access to educational opportunities beyond high school and throughout life. To meet the societal and individual needs described under ORS 350.001, Oregonians have created and should sustain diverse institutions of higher education, both independent an…
The Legislative Assembly finds that public higher education is necessary to accomplish the findings in ORS 350.001 and recognizes the following as fundamental goals of public higher education in this state: Creating an educated citizenry to support responsible roles in a democratic society and provide a globally competitive workforce to drive this state’s e…
The Legislative Assembly declares that the mission of all education beyond high school in Oregon includes ensuring that by 2025, when adult Oregonians complete their education: At least 40 percent have earned a bachelor’s degree or higher; At least 40 percent have earned an associate’s degree or a post-secondary credential as their highest level of educati…
The Higher Education Coordinating Commission, in coordination with the State Workforce and Talent Development Board, shall establish by rule educational attainment goals for adult Oregonians who are not currently enrolled in a kindergarten through grade 12 school, an institution of higher education or another post-secondary training program. The educational…
There is established a Higher Education Coordinating Commission, consisting of 15 voting members appointed by the Governor. The Governor shall appoint: One undergraduate student at a public university listed in ORS 352.002; One graduate student at a public university listed in ORS 352.002; One faculty member at a public university listed in ORS 352.002; …
The members of the Higher Education Coordinating Commission must be residents of this state who are well informed on the principles of higher education.
The Higher Education Coordinating Commission shall select one of its members as chairperson and another as vice chairperson, for such terms and with duties and powers necessary for the performance of the functions of such offices as the commission determines. A majority of the members of the commission constitutes a quorum for the transaction of business. …
The Higher Education Coordinating Commission shall appoint an executive director to serve at the pleasure of the commission. The appointment of the executive director must be by written order, filed with the Secretary of State. Subject to any applicable provisions of ORS chapter 240, the executive director shall appoint all subordinate officers and employe…
The Higher Education Coordinating Commission may establish such advisory and technical committees as it considers necessary to aid and advise the commission in the performance of its functions. These committees may be continuing or temporary committees. The commission shall determine the representation, membership, terms and organization of the committees an…
As used in this section, “student access programs” means scholarship, loan, grant and access programs described in ORS chapter 348. The Higher Education Coordinating Commission shall be guided by the legislative findings in ORS 341.009, 350.001 and 350.005 and the goals and mission of post-secondary education set forth in ORS 350.009 and 350.014. The Highe…
The Higher Education Coordinating Commission may: Consistent with the laws of this state, accept money or property not otherwise provided for under subsection (2) of this section that is donated for the use or benefit of community colleges and use such money or property for the purpose for which it was donated. Until it is used, the commission shall deposit…
The Higher Education Coordinating Commission shall: Approve all mission statements of the public universities listed in ORS 352.002; and Approve all significant changes to academic programs offered at the public universities, and shall ensure that the changes: Are consistent with the mission statement of the respective public university; Do not unnecessa…
On or before September 1 of each even-numbered year, the Higher Education Coordinating Commission shall submit a consolidated funding request to the Governor on behalf of all the public universities listed in ORS 352.002. The Governor’s budget may include the Higher Education Coordinating Commission’s funding request for public universities listed in ORS 35…
The Higher Education Coordinating Commission is authorized to: Request, as part of the funding request under ORS 350.090, appropriations for budgetary items, including but not limited to education and general operations, statewide public services, state funded debt service, capital improvements, deferred maintenance, special initiatives and investments or a…
The Higher Education Coordinating Commission shall ensure the implementation of the plans developed under ORS 342.447 for recruitment of diverse educators. The commission shall report biennially to the Legislative Assembly on the implementation and results of the plans. The report may include recommendations on ways in which the Legislative Assembly can ass…
No later than March 1 of each odd-numbered year, the Higher Education Coordinating Commission shall submit a report to the Legislative Assembly concerning the status of all previously approved capital construction projects that have not been completed or have been completed within the preceding 24-month period. The report shall include the project title, fun…
The Higher Education Coordinating Commission shall work with public universities listed in ORS 352.002, community college districts and independent for-profit and not-for-profit institutions of higher education to carry out the following goals: Increase the number of students who receive academic credit for prior learning and the number of students who rece…
The Higher Education Coordinating Commission shall cause to have prepared and submitted to the Legislative Assembly a program and time schedule for the establishment of regional services institutes at appropriate public universities. The program shall include academic curriculum and practical training appropriate to train students in various aspects of econo…
Programs prepared under ORS 350.115 shall include proposals for training students and utilizing resources in the following, using the region in which the institute is located as the training area: Developing specific resources on the campus where the institute is to be located to assist with orderly and balanced economic and community services and for the d…
Before September 15 of each year, the Higher Education Coordinating Commission shall submit a report in the manner provided by ORS 192.245 to the appropriate interim committees of the Legislative Assembly. The report must describe the progress made in providing competency-based education in the public post-secondary institutions of education in this state. T…
Each post-secondary institution of education that operates in this state shall annually provide to the Higher Education Coordinating Commission: The number of Oregon high school graduates from each school district who are enrolled at the institution; and The graduation rate at the institution for Oregon high school graduates from each school district. The…
The Office of Community Colleges and Workforce Development is established within the Higher Education Coordinating Commission. The office shall function under the direction and control of the commission, with the Director of the Office of Community Colleges and Workforce Development serving as an administrative officer for community college matters. Except …
The Office of Community Colleges and Workforce Development Account is established in the State Treasury, separate and distinct from the General Fund. Except for moneys otherwise designated by statute, all fees, assessments and other moneys received by the Office of Community Colleges and Workforce Development shall be deposited into the State Treasury and cr…
The executive director of the Higher Education Coordinating Commission shall appoint a Director of the Office of Community Colleges and Workforce Development who shall serve at the pleasure of the executive director. The director shall be a person who by training and experience is well qualified to perform the duties of the office and to assist in carrying …
The Advanced Technology Education and Training Fund is established in the State Treasury, separate and distinct from the General Fund. Moneys in the Advanced Technology Education and Training Fund are continuously appropriated to the Higher Education Coordinating Commission for the purpose of making grants and loans for the provision of advanced technology e…
The Higher Education Coordinating Commission shall establish by rule a process for making grants or loans to public-private partnerships to provide advanced technology education and training opportunities. The purpose of the grants and loans is to support the development and implementation of public-private partnerships to provide advanced technology educati…
The Director of the Office of Community Colleges and Workforce Development may issue certificates for passing approved high school equivalency tests such as the General Educational Development (GED) test to persons who demonstrate satisfactory performance in tests prescribed under subsection (2) of this section or meet the requirements of any prescribed eval…
As used in this section, “student” means an individual who is 16 or 17 years of age and is not emancipated pursuant to ORS 419B.550 to 419B.558. Notwithstanding ORS 350.175, a student, with consent of a parent or legal guardian, may take a high school equivalency test. STUDENT POLICIES (Generally)
Except as otherwise required by law, a public or private post-secondary institution of education may not require a prospective student to disclose whether the prospective student has a criminal conviction before the institution makes a final decision on whether to admit the prospective student. Any materials or websites that are created by a public or priva…
The Higher Education Coordinating Commission, in consultation with public post-secondary institutions of education, shall by rule design a question or questions that will: Allow each student to identify whether the student is a parent, a person acting as a parent or a legal guardian; and Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this subsection, be placed on …
As used in this section, “mandatory fee” means a fee of general applicability to students, whether full-time or part-time, that is required prior to matriculation or taking courses, including a fee proposed by a recognized student government. Each public university listed in ORS 352.002 or community college shall prominently display, as provided in subsecti…
Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, each public institution of higher education shall prominently display, or establish a link on the Internet to a website that displays, the estimated costs of all required course materials and directly related course fees for no less than 75 percent of the total number of for-credit courses offered by the …
A post-secondary institution of education that is based in this state may not: Refuse to provide a transcript for a current or former student because the student owes a debt to the institution; Charge a higher fee for obtaining a transcript to a current or former student because the student owes a debt to the institution; or Use the issuance of a transcri…
A student at a post-secondary institution of education in this state who is not a citizen or a lawful permanent resident of the United States, or who is a refugee, special immigrant visa holder or COFA islander, is eligible to receive scholarships, grants and other financial aid from the Higher Education Coordinating Commission. As used in this section, “CO…
As used in this section, “school of higher education” means: A public university listed in ORS 352.002. A community college, as defined in ORS 341.005. The Secretary of State shall ensure that within four miles of the main campus of each school of higher education there is at least one location designated as an official ballot drop site under ORS 254.470.…
As used in this section, “school of higher education” means: Any public university listed in ORS 352.002. Any community college as defined in ORS 341.005. No student shall be refused admission to a school of higher education or be expelled from such a school for the sole reason that, because of religious beliefs, the student is unable to attend classes on…
As used in this section: “Haze” has the meaning given that term in ORS 163.197. “Institution of higher education” means: A community college operated under ORS chapter 341; or A college or university that: Operates in this state; Offers baccalaureate degree programs; and Enrolls students who receive state financial aid. Each institution of higher edu…
For the purposes of this section: “Public institution of higher education” means: A community college; A public university listed in ORS 352.002; and The Oregon Health and Science University. “School-sponsored media” means materials that are prepared, substantially written, published or broadcast by student journalists, that are distributed or generally…
As used in this section: “Benefits navigator” means an individual who is employed by a public institution of higher education for the purpose of helping students at the institution apply for and receive assistance from benefits programs. “Benefits program” means any federal, state or local program that provides assistance or benefits to individuals with fi…
As used in this section, “institution of higher education” means: A public university listed in ORS 352.002; A community college operated under ORS chapter 341; or The Oregon Health and Science University. An institution of higher education shall allow members and agents of the Armed Forces of the United States to recruit on a public campus and shall set…
As used in this section: “Active member of the Armed Forces of the United States” and “Armed Forces of the United States” have the meaning given those terms in ORS 352.313. “Community college” has the meaning given that term in ORS 341.005. “Qualified student” means a student who: Is an active member of the Armed Forces of the United States or served in …
A public or private educational institution may not: Require, request or otherwise compel a student or prospective student to disclose or to provide access to a personal social media account through the student’s or prospective student’s user name and password, password or other means of authentication that provides access. Require, request or otherwise co…
Any person claiming to be aggrieved by a violation of ORS 350.272 may file a civil action in circuit court for equitable relief or, subject to the terms and conditions of ORS 30.265 to 30.300, damages, or both. The court may order such other relief as may be appropriate. Damages shall be $200 or actual damages, whichever is greater. The action authorized by…
As used in ORS 350.278 and 350.280: “Disclose” means to make available for review by another person. “Law enforcement agency” has the meaning given that term in ORS 181A.010. “Wages” has the meaning given that term in ORS 652.210.
A public university listed in ORS 352.002 may not disclose the Social Security number of a student who is attending the public university. Subsection (1) of this section does not apply if the public university discloses the Social Security number: At the request of a law enforcement agency or an agency providing child support services under ORS 25.080; Af…
A community college as defined in ORS 341.005 may not disclose the Social Security number of a student who is attending the college. Subsection (1) of this section does not apply if the college discloses the Social Security number: At the request of a law enforcement agency or an agency providing child support services under ORS 25.080; After obtaining wr…
A student who suffers an ascertainable loss of money, personal property or real property as a result of a violation of ORS 350.278 or 350.280 may bring an action in a circuit court to recover the student’s actual damages. The court may award reasonable attorney fees to the party that prevails in an action on a claim under this section. (Tuition)
As used in this section: “Child” means a child, adopted child or stepchild of either a service member or a Purple Heart recipient. “Eligible post-secondary institution” means: A public university listed in ORS 352.002; and The Oregon Health and Science University. “Purple Heart recipient” means a person, alive or deceased, who: Was relieved or discharg…
Spouses or dependent children of active members of the Armed Forces of the United States who, at the time of their acceptance to a community college or public university listed in ORS 352.002, are considered residents for the purpose of admission or for the purpose of determining fees and tuition to be paid while attending the community college or public uni…
A public university listed in ORS 352.002 or a community college shall charge an enrolled student who is not a resident of this state and who is attending classes as an undergraduate or graduate student on a public university or community college campus in this state tuition and fees no greater than the resident rate if the student: Served in the Armed Forc…
A public university listed in ORS 352.002 or a community college shall charge an enrolled student who is not a resident of this state and who is attending classes as an undergraduate or graduate student on a public university or community college campus in this state tuition and fees no greater than the resident rate if the student: Is Native American; or …
The Higher Education Coordinating Commission shall report annually on or before February 1 to committees of the Legislative Assembly related to veterans and military affairs and to higher education regarding students who have received tuition relief and assistance under ORS 350.285 and 350.290 including but not limited to the following: The number of nonres…
Notwithstanding ORS 341.290, 352.105 or 353.050, a student who is a current foster child, former foster child or adopted former foster child or a current homeless youth or former homeless youth, under 25 years of age and enrolled in courses totaling one or more credit hours at an institution of higher education as an undergraduate student shall have the amou…
An adopted former foster child who enrolls in an institution of higher education as an undergraduate student is eligible to have the amount of tuition and all fees levied against the student waived in the manner set forth in ORS 350.300 if the adopted former foster child became an adopted child on or after January 1, 2012. Nothing in this section authorizes…
The Higher Education Coordinating Commission shall, on an annual basis, work with the Department of Human Services, each public university listed in ORS 352.002 and each community college in this state to determine: The number of current foster children and former foster children enrolled at the college or university; and The graduation rate for current fo…
In addition to the written protocol adopted under ORS 350.331, each institution of higher education shall adopt written policies concerning sexual harassment, sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking that occur both on and off campus. Written policies adopted under this section must include: The adoption of the definition of sexual h…
Each public university listed in ORS 352.002, community college and Oregon-based private university or college shall adopt a written protocol to ensure that victims of sexual assault receive necessary services and assistance in situations where: The alleged victim of the sexual assault is a student at the university or college and the alleged sexual assault…
A public university listed in ORS 352.002, a community college or an Oregon-based private university or college may not use the threat or imposition of student discipline or other sanction to influence the decision of a victim of an alleged incident of sexual assault, domestic violence or stalking regarding whether or not the victim will report the alleged i…
As used in ORS 350.335 to 350.346: “Certified advocate” and “qualified victim services program” have the meanings given those terms in ORS 40.264. “Institution of higher education” has the meaning given that term in ORS 350.330. “Reporting party” means a student or employee at an institution of higher education who reports having experienced an incident o…
The Sexual Misconduct Survey Council is established, consisting of 19 voting members and four nonvoting members. The four nonvoting members of the council shall be appointed as follows: The President of the Senate shall appoint two nonvoting members from among members of the Senate; and The Speaker of the House of Representatives shall appoint two nonvoti…
At least once every two years, the Sexual Misconduct Survey Council established under ORS 350.336 shall: Develop a base survey for distribution to institutions of higher education; and Provide each institution of higher education with any recommendations regarding use of the survey, including but not limited to additional content that could be added, the t…
At least once every two years, each institution of higher education shall conduct a sexual misconduct climate survey of all students enrolled at the institution. A survey conducted under this section shall include: The most recent base survey provided by the Sexual Misconduct Survey Council under ORS 350.337; and Any additional campus-specific questions c…
The Higher Education Coordinating Commission shall establish a data repository for all summaries of sexual misconduct climate surveys conducted by institutions of higher education and submitted to the commission under ORS 350.338. The data repository established under this section must: Be made available to the public in an easily accessible manner on the …
Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this subsection, each institution of higher education shall employ at least one certified advocate as part of an institution-based qualified victim services program. An institution of higher education is not required to employ a certified advocate if the institution does not have an institution-based qualified victim s…
Except as provided in subsection (4) of this section, each institution of higher education shall enter into and maintain a memorandum of understanding with a community-based domestic and sexual violence advocacy agency that is in the same county as the institution. The memorandum of understanding entered into under this section shall ensure that the communi…
A reporting party or a witness who requests an investigation of sexual misconduct may not be subjected to a disciplinary proceeding or sanction for violating the institution of higher education’s student conduct policy related to drug or alcohol use, trespassing or unauthorized entry of school facilities or other violations of a school policy or code of cond…
In addition to any requirements set forth in ORS 350.330 and 350.331, each institution of higher education shall: Receive guidance from the Title IX coordinator of the institution, local law enforcement, violence prevention specialists, public health specialists, other individuals with experience identifying protective and risk factors related to violence a…
Each institution of higher education shall waive any requirements relating to a minimum required grade point average or disciplinary record requirements required to demonstrate academic success that are part of an institution-sponsored program or activity identified by the institution under subsection (2) of this section for any participant who: Has experie…
No later than October 1 of each year, each institution of higher education shall submit a report in the manner provided by ORS 192.245 to: The Secretary of the Senate and the Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives; The interim committees of the Legislative Assembly relating to higher education; The Higher Education Coordinating Commission; and The D…
No later than September 15 of each year, the Higher Education Coordinating Commission shall submit a report in the manner provided by ORS 192.245 to the interim committees of the Legislative Assembly related to higher education that identifies each instance during the previous academic year in which an institution of higher education has either violated a pr…
It is the intent of the Legislative Assembly that all parts of chapter 550, Oregon Laws 2023, are independent and that if any part of chapter 550, Oregon Laws 2023, is held unconstitutional, all remaining parts shall remain in force. Note: Legislative Counsel has substituted “chapter 550, Oregon Laws 2023,” for the words “this 2023 Act” in section 15, chapt…
As used in ORS 350.355 and 350.360, “public institution of higher education” means: A community college; or A public university listed in ORS 352.002.
Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this subsection, a part-time faculty member at a public institution of higher education is eligible for the same employee-only health care benefits, including dental benefits and vision benefits, as full-time faculty members if the part-time faculty member is eligible for membership in the Public Employees Retirement Sy…
The Part-Time Faculty Insurance Fund is established in the State Treasury, separate and distinct from the General Fund. Interest earned by the Part-Time Faculty Insurance Fund must be credited to the fund. The fund consists of moneys appropriated, allocated, deposited or transferred to the fund by the Legislative Assembly or otherwise and interest earned on …
As used in this section, “employee group” means each category of employee employed by a public institution of higher education, including at least categories for: Administrative or management employees; Faculty employees; and Classified or professional nonfaculty employees. The Higher Education Coordinating Commission shall conduct an annual review of ea…
A public university listed in ORS 352.002 or the Oregon Health and Science University may classify a position as a post-doctoral scholar position if the position: Requires a doctoral or equivalent degree; Provides a temporary and defined period of employment with the university; and Provides clinical or academic research training under formal mentorship. …
As used in this section: “Board” means: For a public university listed in ORS 352.002, the governing board of the university; or For a community college, the board of education of a community college district. “Community college district” has the meaning given that term in ORS 341.005. “Cultural competency” means an understanding of how institutions and…
As used in this section: “Apprentice” has the meaning given that term in ORS 660.010. “Community college” means a community college as defined in ORS 341.005 or a community college district as defined in ORS 341.005. “Institution of higher education” means a public university listed in ORS 352.002, a community college or the Oregon Health and Science Univ…
As used in this section: “Associate transfer degree” means an associate degree that is awarded by a community college and that is intended to allow a student to apply the credits earned for the degree toward a baccalaureate degree. “Community college” means a community college operated under ORS chapter 341. “Public university” means a public university l…
Community colleges and public universities listed in ORS 352.002 shall: Evaluate existing one-year curricula for students at a public post-secondary institution of education who plan to transfer to a different public post-secondary institution of education; and Establish a foundational curriculum, or foundational curricula, for the first year of coursework…
Community colleges and public universities listed in ORS 352.002 shall collaborate through the Transfer Council established in ORS 350.426 to develop a unified statewide transfer agreement, based on the foundational curricula established under ORS 350.400, for each major course of study. Each unified statewide transfer agreement developed under this section …
When a student attending a community college informs the community college that the student intends to pursue a bachelor’s degree by transferring to a public university listed in ORS 352.002, the community college shall: Provide the student with information on potential major courses of study that the community college has received from the public universit…
The Higher Education Coordinating Commission shall regularly use the Transfer Council established in ORS 350.426 to work with representatives from community colleges and public universities listed in ORS 352.002 in order to: Facilitate the coordination and establishment of foundational curricula described in ORS 350.400; and Facilitate the development, and…
As used in this section: “College credit program” means a nationwide program that offers college-level curricula and examinations to high school students, such as the advanced placement (AP) program or the International Baccalaureate (IB) program. “Public institution of higher education” has the meaning given that term in ORS 350.350. An award of academic…
As used in this section: “Accelerated college credit program” has the meaning given that term by rules adopted by the Higher Education Coordinating Commission. “Credit toward general education” means credits that may be used toward the completion of a post-secondary certificate or degree, as determined based on standards adopted by the Higher Education Coo…
Notwithstanding ORS 352.087 (1)(q) or any other provision of law, each public post-secondary institution of education in this state shall: Adopt a common course numbering system, established by the Higher Education Coordinating Commission by rule, for introductory and other lower division courses with similar learning outcomes that are taught in accelerated…
The Transfer Council is established, consisting of 15 voting members, appointed by the Higher Education Coordinating Commission, and one nonvoting, ex officio member. Before appointing the voting members, the commission shall request nominations from official student, faculty and administrator organizations at public universities listed in ORS 352.002, comm…
The Transfer Council established under ORS 350.426 shall: Advise the Higher Education Coordinating Commission on the development, coordination and maintenance of the common course numbering system described in ORS 350.423; Serve as the primary venue for community colleges and public universities to collaborate to develop foundational curricula described in…
As used in this section, “public institution of higher education” has the meaning given that term in ORS 350.350. Each public institution of higher education must have the same developmental educational requirements and require the same placement tests for each subject area for: An incoming student who has completed high school and who the institution dete…
There is established a Forestry Education Council, consisting of five members appointed by the President of Oregon State University. The president shall appoint to the council at least three members who are forestland owners in this state or representatives of forest products manufacturers operating in this state. The term of office of each council member i…
The members of the Forestry Education Council must be residents of this state who are well informed on the principles of providing educational opportunities for forestland owners, forest products manufacturers and persons wishing to train in forest-related occupations.
The Forestry Education Council shall select one of its members as chairperson and another as vice chairperson, for such terms and with duties and powers necessary for the performance of the functions of such offices as the President of Oregon State University determines. Except as provided in ORS 350.530, a majority of the members of the council constitutes…
The Dean of the College of Forestry at Oregon State University shall solicit the advice of the Forestry Education Council when developing work plans or resource allocation plans affecting professional forestry education. The council shall provide advice to the dean regarding the development of work plans and resource allocation plans affecting professional f…
Oregon State University may establish in the Public University Fund established under ORS 352.450 a subaccount dedicated to funding investments in professional forestry education. A subaccount created as provided in this section shall consist of any moneys from harvest taxes, appropriations, gifts, grants or donations made available to the university for the…
ORS 350.500 to 350.530 do not establish any obligation or expectation for the appropriation of General Fund moneys to the subaccount described in ORS 350.520 or any obligation or expectation that moneys from forest products harvest taxes will be increased or reallocated for deposit to the subaccount described in ORS 350.520. Note: 350.525 was enacted into l…
Prior to the beginning of an academic year, the Forestry Education Council may request that the President of Oregon State University review any allocations described in ORS 350.520 that are proposed for the academic year. A request under this section must be approved by a majority of the council members. Upon receiving a request from the council, the preside…
The governing board of a public university listed in ORS 352.002 shall adopt a policy that prescribes the requirements for a venture grant program and the requirements that a grant applicant must meet in order to receive grant moneys from the university venture development fund operated by the university, including requirements: That a grant recipient remai…
Notwithstanding ORS 350.550 (5), the State Treasurer, as payment for expenses, may deduct a fee pursuant to ORS 293.718 from a university venture development fund administered by a public university listed in ORS 352.002 or the Oregon Health and Science University. A public university listed in ORS 352.002 or the Oregon Health and Science University may dir…
Each public university listed in ORS 352.002 and Oregon Health and Science University may elect to establish a university venture development fund as provided in this section for the purpose of facilitating the commercialization of university research and development. A university shall direct that the university venture development fund be administered, in …
The Legislative Assembly finds that: The current and future need for higher education services in Oregon is too great and too diverse to be met by government-sponsored institutions alone. From the early 1840s the citizens of Oregon, through private initiative, have created and sustained a variety of independent not-for-profit institutions of higher educati…
Based on the legislative findings described in ORS 350.600, the Legislative Assembly declares that it is an important public interest to encourage and increase opportunities in independent higher education for the people of Oregon.
The Legislative Assembly declares that all state agencies and the Higher Education Coordinating Commission should pursue policies and engage in practices that enhance the vitality of independent higher education in Oregon and should cooperate with the state’s independent institutions.
The Legislative Assembly declares that it is an important public interest, and an appropriate objective of the state, that Oregonians who need financial assistance to attend an independent institution in Oregon should have access to state financial aid.
The Legislative Assembly declares its ongoing interest in state policies that: Enhance the ability of independent institutions to sustain and expand their services in Oregon; Complement, assist and strengthen existing or planned programs and activities of independent institutions in Oregon while maintaining high academic and administrative standards; Enco…
It is hereby determined and declared as a matter of legislative finding that: Independent institutions of higher education in the state educate a substantial share of all post-secondary students in Oregon and such nonpublic institutions make an important contribution to post-secondary education in Oregon. The state’s duty to support the achieving of public…
As used in ORS 350.630 to 350.655, unless the context requires otherwise: “Private and independent institutions of higher education” or “institution” means any nonpublic and nonprofit college or university in the State of Oregon accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities or its successor, and any chiropractic college located in this…
The Higher Education Coordinating Commission may enter into contracts with private and independent institutions of higher education for the performance of nonsectarian educational services to assist the state in providing educational opportunities for Oregon students. The commission may accept grants, gifts, bequests, and devises of real and personal proper…
Payments to private and independent institutions of higher education under contracts entered into under ORS 350.640 shall be determined by the Director of the Office of Student Access and Completion on a uniform rate for every 45 quarter hours, or equivalent, of approved and registered course work in nonsectarian subjects completed by undergraduate students …
In accordance with any applicable provisions of ORS chapter 183, the Higher Education Coordinating Commission may make such reasonable rules and regulations as are necessary or proper to carry out ORS 350.630 to 350.655.
If a part of ORS 350.630 to 350.655 is invalid, all valid parts that are severable from the invalid part remain in effect. If a part of ORS 350.630 to 350.655 is invalid in one or more of its applications, the part remains in effect in all valid applications that are severable from the invalid applications. FINANCE OF EDUCATION FACILITIES BY MUNICIPALITY
As used in ORS 350.665 to 350.695, unless the context requires otherwise: “Education facilities” means real or personal property owned or operated by an educational institution and used to provide post-secondary education. “Education facilities” includes administrative offices, student and staff parking and on-campus dormitories, but does not include proper…
In order to provide the people of this state with access to quality post-secondary education at a reasonable cost, and to provide an educated workforce which promotes economic development within this state, the Legislative Assembly authorizes municipalities to finance education facilities in accordance with ORS 350.665 to 350.695.
Except as otherwise provided in ORS 350.685, a municipality shall have all powers necessary to finance education facilities in accordance with ORS 350.665 to 350.695, including the power: To borrow money and to issue revenue bonds to finance education facilities costs or to refund revenue bonds pursuant to ORS 287A.150. To pledge education facility revenue…
Revenue bonds shall be payable solely from that portion of education facility revenues which the municipality pledges therefor in the resolution authorizing issuance of revenue bonds. A municipality may authorize the issuance of revenue bonds by resolution or nonemergency ordinance under the procedure described in ORS 287A.150. The resolution may provide f…
Revenue bonds shall not be a general bond of any municipality nor a charge upon the tax revenues of any municipality, and shall be secured solely by the education facility revenues pledged to their payment.
All powers and duties provided in ORS 350.665 to 350.695 may be exercised or discharged by two or more municipalities acting jointly. A municipality may issue revenue bonds to finance education facilities located within the boundaries of another municipality.
Notwithstanding ORS chapter 294, education facility revenues and the proceeds of revenue bonds may be invested in any classes of security which are described in the resolution authorizing issuance of the revenue bonds or are otherwise approved by the municipality. PROMOTION OF REGIONAL INTERSTATE AGREEMENTS
The Legislative Assembly finds that: It is in the interest of this state and its people that Oregon residents have access to the post-secondary institutions in the Northwest which best provide for the educational needs of those students; The people of Oregon and their post-secondary institutions benefit through the provision of access to Oregon colleges an…
In addition to any interstate agreements entered into under ORS 350.750, the Governor shall encourage interstate agreements with Washington, Idaho and California. Such agreements shall be in accordance with ORS 190.410 to 190.440 and shall: Provide for full-time equivalent reimbursement to this state for any students from another state who enroll in an Oreg…
The Western Regional Higher Education Compact is ratified and approved and the adherence of this state to its provisions, upon ratification and approval by any five or more of the states or territories therein named, is declared.
The terms and provisions of the compact referred to in ORS 350.770 are as follows: ______________________________________________________________________________ ARTICLE I Whereas the future of this nation and of the western states is dependent upon the quality of the education of its youth; and Whereas many of the western states individually do not have…
Upon ratification and approval of the Western Regional Higher Education Compact by any five or more of the specified states or territories, the Governor of this state shall execute the compact on behalf of this state and perform any other acts which may be deemed requisite to its formal ratification and promulgation.
The Governor shall appoint the Oregon members of the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education. The qualifications and terms of office of the members of the commission for this state shall conform with the provisions of Article IV of the compact. The Governor may remove a member of the commission for cause after notice and public hearing.
The Higher Education Coordinating Commission, public universities listed in ORS 352.002, the Oregon Health and Science University and the Oregon members of the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education are authorized to take any action necessary to achieving the ends of the Western Regional Higher Education Compact.
Prior to June 1 of each even-numbered year, the Oregon members of the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education shall determine the quotas of Oregon students for whom various kinds of educational service should be purchased in out-of-state institutions during the next biennium and shall recommend to the Higher Education Coordinating Commission and t…
Any Oregon resident desiring to take advantage of the Western Regional Higher Education Compact may make application to the Higher Education Coordinating Commission for out-of-state educational service. From such applicants the commission shall select students to fill the quotas determined under ORS 350.795. The commission and the Oregon members of the West…
The governing boards of public universities listed in ORS 352.002 and the Oregon Health and Science University Board of Directors may contract with the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education to furnish educational service in their respective Oregon public universities to out-of-state students. The governing boards of public universities listed i…
The act of registering to vote by a student who is attending a post-secondary institution of education has no effect in determining that student’s eligibility to participate in the Western Undergraduate Exchange coordinated by the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education established under ORS 350.775. _______________