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Â鶹´«Ã½ Office of Government Relations
Recent Events & News
2026 Oregon Legislative Session: Targeted Reform & Intervention
The 2026 Oregon Legislative Session was a critically important whirlwind for Â鶹´«Ã½. This 5-week “short” session was focused on budget triage, federal-policy response, and several targeted interventions.
Most importantly for Â鶹´«Ã½, 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.
Past Events & News
2025 Oregon Legislative Session: Important Success, Serious Needs Left Unmet
The 2025 Oregon Legislative Session delivered mixed results for Â鶹´«Ã½. 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 Â鶹´«Ã½ Resiliency Plan. This plan works to reduce costs, increase revenue, and realign the university with regional workforce needs.
March 4th for Higher Education!
Â鶹´«Ã½ 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, Â鶹´«Ã½ representatives were able to visit 53 different legislative offices; and, Â鶹´«Ã½ 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 Â鶹´«Ã½ 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 Â鶹´«Ã½ to collaborate with the three other Technical and Regional Universities. Representatives from East Oregon University, Western Oregon University, Â鶹´«Ã½, 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. Â鶹´«Ã½ was able to have several representatives testify to advocate for higher education.
Connect with Â鶹´«Ã½ Government Relations
Have questions, concerns, or want to get in contact with us?
Email: govtrelations@sou.edu
Phone Number: 541.552.8840
