LBCC Advocacy

Current Issues

17 Oregon Community Colleges are asking for $787 million in the 2019 session.

Read the OCCA Co-Chairs Budget Key Points Bulletin

HOLD THE LINE BUDGET
Currently the Community College Support Fund Receives $575 million from the state. Colleges will need
at least an additional $72 million to meet their true current service level and balance their budgets
without further program cuts or steep tuition hikes.

This additional funding to the Community College Support Fund would specifically allow:

  • Holding tuition increases to roughly 3.5 percent statewide. (Community college tuition is set by locally elected boards each year and rates will vary based on local needs.)
  • Balancing college budgets without additional deep cuts to programs and services
  • Continue progress on student success efforts like guided pathways
  • End deficit spending. Statewide, colleges are covering a $31 million funding gap by dipping into critical reserves and other temporary solutions.
Representative Dan Rayfield (second from left) meets with LBCC students at the State Capitol.

For LBCC, without adequate state funding in the upcoming biennium, there will be significant tuition
increases, limitations on programs, and lessening of student services e.g. guided pathways, advising, and
completion efforts.

INVESTMENT BUDGET
An additional investment of $140 million dollars ($70m for Career Technical Education (CTE) and $70m
for student success efforts,) would go toward dramatically increasing output of career and technical
education programs and significantly increasing completion rates overall.

$70 million for CTE programs would allow colleges to double the number of graduates (an additional 7,900 graduates per year) in programs such as:

  • Welding
  • Respiratory Care
  • Dental Assisting
  • Manufacturing and Industrial Tech 
  • Computer Applications
  • Aviation
  • Electronics
  • Advanced Manufacturing 
  • Fire Science

$70 million for student success efforts would go toward dramatic increases in completion rates
targeted toward first-generation and under-represented students.

Using models similar to the federal TRIO* programs, colleges have seen completion rates roughly double
among participating students. The additional investment would mean such programs can reach an
additional 17,500 students per year.

* The Federal TRIO Programs (TRIO) are Federal outreach and student services programs designed to  identify and provide services for individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds. TRIO includes eight  programs targeted to serve and assist low-income individuals, first-generation college students, and  individuals with disabilities to progress through the academic pipeline from middle school to  postbaccalaureate programs. TRIO also includes a training program for directors and staff.