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ºÚ¹Ï³ÔÁÏÍø Office of Government Relations
Recent Events & News
What’s New? The 2026 Interim
Between June 15 and 17, Oregon legislators returned to the Capitol in Salem for the 2026 Interim Legislative Days, where committees met to receive updates, review agency work, and discuss policy priorities ahead of the next legislative session. On June 15, the Legislative Emergency Board approved the release of $7.5 million in Special Purpose funding to the Higher Education Coordinating Commission (HECC) to support ºÚ¹Ï³ÔÁÏÍø. This critical investment will help ºÚ¹Ï³ÔÁÏÍø manage cash flow and maintain operations throughout the 2026–27 academic year as the university continues implementing a sustainable operating model in response to the evolving challenges facing higher education.
We are deeply grateful to the members of the Legislative Emergency Board for their thoughtful consideration and support of ºÚ¹Ï³ÔÁÏÍø. We also extend our sincere appreciation to our passionate Southern Oregon community who shared their voices and communicated with legislators throughout the process. Your engagement and advocacy played an important role in demonstrating the value of ºÚ¹Ï³ÔÁÏÍø to our region and the state.
Past Events & News
2026 Oregon Legislative Session: Targeted Reform & Intervention
The 2026 Oregon Legislative Session was a critically important whirlwind for ºÚ¹Ï³ÔÁÏÍø. This 5-week “short” session was focused on budget triage, federal-policy response, and several targeted interventions.
Most importantly for ºÚ¹Ï³ÔÁÏÍø, the Legislature did not reduce core higher-education funding during the session, and it did act directly to stabilize the university in the near term. Legislators also set in motion a conversation and exploration around the structure and long-term sustainability of higher education in Oregon.
2025 Oregon Legislative Session: Important Success, Serious Needs Left Unmet
The 2025 Oregon Legislative Session delivered mixed results for ºÚ¹Ï³ÔÁÏÍø. Facing a discouraging revenue forecast and uncertainty at the federal level, many legislators were cautious to commit funds in a host of areas.
These mixed results informed the new ºÚ¹Ï³ÔÁÏÍø Resiliency Plan. This plan works to reduce costs, increase revenue, and realign the university with regional workforce needs.
March 4th for Higher Education!
ºÚ¹Ï³ÔÁÏÍø Lobby Day took place at the Oregon Capitol on March 4th. This was an incredible opportunity to advocate on behalf of the university. Over 40 students as well as nearly 20 administrators, staff, faculty, trustees, and alumni participated. Collectively, ºÚ¹Ï³ÔÁÏÍø representatives were able to visit 53 different legislative offices; and, ºÚ¹Ï³ÔÁÏÍø students performed to open the floor sessions in both the House and Senate Chambers. This was an incredible opportunity to showcase the successes being achieved at ºÚ¹Ï³ÔÁÏÍø while simultaneously advocating for further progress.
Technical and Regional University Day
April 21st was Technical and Regional University Lobby Day. This was an opportunity for ºÚ¹Ï³ÔÁÏÍø to collaborate with the three other Technical and Regional Universities. Representatives from East Oregon University, Western Oregon University, ºÚ¹Ï³ÔÁÏÍø, and Oregon Institute of Technology all came together to advocate for the importance of TRUs.
Ways and Means Roadshow
The Joint Committee on Ways and Means is Oregon’s legislative appropriations committee. With members of both the House and Senate this committee works to establish budget priorities and facilitate the adoption of a biennial budget. The Joint Committee on Ways and Means can have important impacts on Universities. Investments can affect tuition, construction projects, workforce initiatives, and more. These legislators were in Klamath Falls on the evening of April 25th. ºÚ¹Ï³ÔÁÏÍø was able to have several representatives testify to advocate for higher education.
Connect with ºÚ¹Ï³ÔÁÏÍø Government Relations
Have questions, concerns, or want to get in contact with us?
Email: govtrelations@sou.edu
Phone Number: 541.552.8840
