The gazette-times. [volume] (Heppner, Or.) 1912-1925, 1920-02-26
OREGON'S EDUCATIONAL CRISIS

1nis state OF oregon faces an edu-
cational crisis. 1t is OF vital interest
To the state that the crisis be averted.
President Campbell, OF the ULi-
verslty Of Oregon, and President Kerr
of the Oregon Agricultural college,
In presentation OF the situation to
the City club at the last Friday noon
luncheon, made an indisputable
showing of facts and figures. That
showing left no other possible conclu-
sion than that the people of Oregon
must either vote the funds that will
be available by the passage OF the
millage tax bill, or the extended func-
of learning, and the State Normal
school as well, must cease. There is
no other alternative.
Enrolment in either the uniyer-
sity or the agricultural college has
increased since the pre-war years
more than 100 per cent. Revenues,
as expressed In dollar terms, have in
creased barely 3 per cent. The dol
lar of today is worth in purchasing
power but little more than SO per
cent Of the pre-war dollar.
In cost per student, Oregon is at
the foot of the list among all the
states OF the Union. The cost in
Oregon as compared with the cost in
state educational institutions OF other
states is approximately $500 per an
Oregon is also at the foot of the list.
The overhead cost per student in
Oregon University is about $240 a
year, while in the state colleges and
universities of other states it runs
from $500 to $3.50. There is no
charge to be made or entertained of
inefficient or extrayagant manage
ment.
The demand for higher education
in the Oregon Institution is con-
stantly increasing factor, On the ex-
listing revenue basis it cannot be met.
If the funds as provided in the mill
age tax bill are voted, even then the
provision Will be $40 less per student
per year than the normal pre-war at-
erage of other state colleges and uni
versties. Without that provision the
increasing demand On the part Of Or
egon boys and girls to get a higher
education must be denied in this
state. In that event, If that eduCa-
tion is obtained by that young man
or young woman it must be obtained
in some other state.
The university and agricultural
college are rendering not only aca-
demic but practical service to the
people of Oregon. 1t is cited where
in by the service Of applied science
under the agency of agricultural col
lege activities a half million dol.
lars has been added to the wealth .,
a single county in the state.
But that is not all There is an
other angle and a most important
angle to be considered. The mer
who direct this service that is Of
such value to the people of the state
are specialists in their respective
lines. Their services cannot be re
tanned at the salaries now paid ant
higher salaries cannot be paid be
cause there is not available none.
with which to pay them. Competi
tion among educational institution
for this class of men is keen. The,
are bid for by colleges and universi
ties outside of Oregon at advance
salary figures all the way from 80 t.
100 per cent better than they re
ceive.
These are some Of the compellin
and convincing facts to be considere
and understood with reference to tn
pending millage tax measure Port
land Telegram.