OCCA responds to Governor’s Recommended Budget
Dec. 2, 2024 – Oregon Governor Tina Kotek on Dec. 2 released the Governor’s Recommended Budget (GRB) for the 2025-2027 biennium, which includes a 6.9 percent increase (a total of $870.4 million) to the Community College Support Fund (CCSF) compared to the legislatively approved funding for 2023-2025. While this is a $70 million increase over the current funding level, it is still about $50 million short of what colleges say they need to maintain current services.
OCCA responds to November statewide revenue forecast
State economists presented their quarterly economic and revenue forecast to legislators this morning, showing state revenues up $950 million from the previous forecast and also triggering Oregon’s unique kicker law. State economists predict Oregon will send roughly $1.8 billion back to Oregon taxpayers based on the state’s kicker law.
Oregon community colleges see enrollment surge
11/15/2024 – Oregon’s community colleges are celebrating a promising increase in enrollment as the fourth-week enrollment reports from the state’s Higher Education Coordinating Commission (HECC) reveals significant growth in overall headcount and Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) enrollment at the majority of community colleges statewide.
OCCA announces 2024-25 Howard Cherry Award honorees
11/1/2024: SALEM, Ore. – The Oregon Community College Association (OCCA) is pleased to announce the winners of the annual Howard Cherry Awards, which celebrate the contributions that local advocates, administrators and board members have made to the benefit of community colleges in Oregon.
Community College Advocate: Senator Michael Dembrow (D-Portland)
Community College Administrator: Dr. Lisa Skari (President, Mt. Hood Community College)
Community College Board Member: Chris Brown (Blue Mountain Community College)
OCCA signs onto letter in support of community college bonds on November ballot
OCCA Board President Austin Folnagy signed onto a joint letter to the editor with four Oregon community college board chairs in support of those colleges’ capital construction bond measures on the November 5, 2024, general election ballot.
OCCA represents community colleges at September ‘Legislative Days’
Oregon community colleges will have several opportunities to testify during legislators’ quarterly “Legislative Days” next week (Sept. 23-25) where legislators will hear invited testimony that will provide updates on ongoing and new topics they may want to address in the 2025 Session.
OCCA responds to statewide revenue forecast
State economists presented their quarterly economic and revenue forecast to legislators this
week, showing state revenues up $587 million from the previous forecast and also triggering
Oregon’s unique kicker law. State economists predict Oregon will send roughly…
Students, Colleges, Universities Respond To HECC’S Agency Request Budget
Students, alumni, and employee representatives from Oregon’s community colleges and
public universities urged the Higher Education Coordinating Commission (HECC) to reconsider the
proposed 2025-27 Agency Request Budget, which would result in a significant gap in operating costs for
most of the state’s higher education institutions.
Oregon’s community colleges working to support adult learners
SALEM, Ore. – Two reports released in June highlight the growing need to address bringing adult students back to community colleges to start or complete a credential, and thanks to the Student Success Center (SSC) at the Oregon Community College Association (OCCA), Oregon’s colleges are already working to better support these populations.