ORS 350.630 Legislative findings

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 welfare purposes in education may be, in part, fulfilled by the state’s support of those nonsectarian educational objectives achieved through nonpublic post-secondary institutions.

Many of Oregon’s private and independent institutions of higher learning face serious financial difficulties and, should any of these institutions be forced to close, many of their students would seek admission in public institutions creating an added financial burden to the state and an impairment of post-secondary education in Oregon. Such hazards may be substantially reduced and all education in the state improved through the purchase of nonsectarian educational services from Oregon’s private and independent institutions.