Oregon university leaders send dire budget message to Gov. Kate Brown - Andrew Theen, Oregonian

Oregon higher education leaders stepped up the rhetoric Wednesday, saying Gov. Kate Brown's recommended budget plan for public universities would "ensure tuition increases that will make a college degree out of reach for many Oregonians." Thirty-three public university representatives - including the presidents of each of the seven universities and faculty union leaders and student representatives at various schools - signed a letter sent to state legislative leaders and Brown on Wednesday asking for more money. The Legislature made higher education a priority in its last regular session in 2015, increasing state support by some 26 percent. But that increase came after years of deep cuts. http://www.oregonlive.com/education/index.ssf/2017/01/higher_education_leaders_say_g.html