The co-chairs of the Oregon Legislature’s budget writing committee, State Senator Richard Devlin (D-Tualatin) and State Representative Peter Buckley (D-Ashland), released a budget framework in late January that would begin a modest reinvestment in Oregon's public universities and community colleges. The framework is meant to provide context and the general parameters for the coming budget process. It envisions increases in education funding across the board, including for higher education.

The co-chairs proposed a funding level of $685 million for higher education. The state's institutions of higher education have collectively asked the legislature for $755 million. This number is based on the $693 million (not adjusted for inflation) funding level of 2007—the last year before a series of cuts to state education funding—plus $62 million to continue a tuition buy-down put into place in 2013.

Students, faculty, and staff from Oregon's public institutions of higher education plan to hold a rally on February 12 to advocate for reinvestment. If you are interested in learning more about the rally, please contact Nate Stice at stice@uoregon.edu.