Higher Education: Sam Signs Up to Help Portland Biggest 'Industry'

By Jane Ames

In early November, Sam met, in his capacity as Council's liaison for Higher Education, with representatives from more than fourteen Portland public and private higher education institutions to discuss their legislative priorities for the upcoming state legislative and national congressional sessions.

Those present represented a range of perspectives on budgetary, legislative, and student assistance concerns. State funded institutions, including those represented by the Oregon University System and Oregon Association of Community Colleges, are concerned about operating budgets, capital expenditures, and student assistance resources. Private non-profit institutions do not receive public operating support, but share a desire for increases in student grants and loan assistance. The for-profit institutions asked for support lobbying for students to qualify for student assistance dollars.

Following the meeting, Sam drafted a letter on behalf of himself, Mayor Potter, and presidents of many of the institutions to the Governor outlining the priorities upon which the organizations concur. A follow-up meeting was held on November 15, 2006 to discuss the full range of institutional priorities with James Sager, the Governor's Education and Workforce Policy Advisor.

Sam believes the Portland institutions share similar concerns and, as a set, can increase their opportunities. Higher Education, which by Sam's definition includes post-secondary formal educational, research, and workforce training opportunities provides over $1.8 billion in annual payroll in Portland. The total number of full-time employees exceeds 20,000 and the number of part-time employees tops 12,000. Research funds that have been granted to the institutions surpassed $811 million between 2000 and 2005. These figures are all based on information Sam gathered directly from the organizations in 2005.

Higher education institutions focus their missions on educating our youth and our workforce; they are often described as operating for the public benefit based on the work they perform, their community partnerships, and outreach they provide. The economic and employment information Sam compiled reinforces what regional economists know; higher education is the largest "economic engine" in Portland. Sam strongly believes the City needs to develop a proactive role to support and nurture this "industry." Legislative advocacy is one step in developing this proactive role helping these institutions reach their capacity.

Related Documents:

Letter to Governor Kulongoski

Governor's 2007-09 Budget Proposal: Education

Community Partners:

Concordia University

Art Institute of Portland

Everest College

University of Portland

Portland State University

Oregon Health & Science University

Lewis & Clark College

Reed College