higher education

Although enrollment only fell slightly at Oregon’s community colleges this year, compared to 2019 it’s down nearly 24%.

Some universities located in more rural areas are seeing a larger percentage of allowable vaccine exemptions but, they say campus is still one of the safest places.

Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoed a huge expansion of the Cal Grant, the state’s main financial aid tool. It would have topped off a banner year for legislators who for years sought to reduce the cost of college.

For some 2020 high school graduates who didn’t go straight to college last year, the uncertainty of the pandemic is still looming this year.

Lawmakers say their budget deal with Gov. Gavin Newson will expand enrollment at public universities and create a debt-free grant. But those items aren’t getting a dollar this coming year. Instead, bill language says the money will come next year. Other major investments are in this year’s budget, though.

Both the state's public universities and community colleges initially were slated to receive at least $60 million less than their requested goals.

Southern Oregon University will require students, faculty and staff who will be on campus this fall to get a COVID-19 vaccine or show proof of a medical or nonmedical exemption.

Classes could resume as soon as Wednesday morning.

OSU is the first Oregon public university to make this decision.

The faculty union and university administration say a deal could come "any day now," but the union insists that, until then, the strike will continue.

OIT’s faculty union has declared its intent to strike. The university says the union has not acted in good faith.

Schott said she intends to remain fully engaged in running the university and pledged a smooth transition to her successor.