Higher education is critical not only to the people of Oregon, but also to the State of Oregon. This blueprint explains how taxpayer dollars should be invested in their universities, and what the return on investment should be. For the first time, the models described here proposed that funding for higher education depend upon the performance of the State's universities. Moreover, the blueprint suggests that the Oregon University System will reorganized, retaining the benefits of a system, but offering increased independence so universities can be more responsive to the many needs of the State. Such a bold step will result in significant and far-reaching benefits to Oregon and its people for many years in the future.
Courageous leadership is required now.
If today's leadership falls short of this blueprint, the people of Oregon will be short changed, and the challenge to those in the future will be much more difficult.