Legislative Advocacy Priorities

Public universities are requesting a $275 million increase to the PUSF in the 2025-27 biennium to support access and affordability, wraparound services, academic success and workforce connections for students.

At PSU’s cutting-edge research centers, students and faculty conduct innovative, inclusive, public-impact research that tackles the most pressing problems in our community. PSU is seeking a legislative designation as the state’s first urban research university to recognize the university’s growing role in conducting research and generating solutions to issues in Oregon and the Portland Metro region.

Public universities are seeking $150 million in additional funding for the state’s main need-based student financial aid program. This funding is essential to safeguard grant aid for lower-income students and expand aid for middle-income students.

PSU is seeking $85 million in bond funding to build academic facilities as part of a state-of-the-art, Broadway-capable performing arts complex in partnership with the City of Portland and other potential partners.

Oregon is facing a critical shortage of mental health professionals, a gap expected to widen by 2035. Oregon's public universities are asking for an investment designed to expand the training of behavioral health clinicians at public universities and community colleges to address the shortage of trained professionals in the field.

Oregon universities are collectively requesting the continuation of Strong Start. The Summer Bridge Program provides targeted services and care to students who need it the most when they first walk onto campus. This program leads to better grades and higher retention rates for students who participate.

By maintaining funding to the 17 Research and Public Service Programs across Oregon's public universities, higher education programs will have the resources to continue work that addresses Oregon's most pressing issues. Programs that receive state funding at PSU include the Population Research Center, Oregon Solutions and Dispute Resolution.

To address the critical shortage in accessible, quality childcare and education, PSU and Oregon’s public universities are asking for a $20 million investment to bolster Oregon’s Early Care & Education workforce through enhanced university degree programs and campus ECE centers.

Oregon universities collectively seek a continuation of the statutory 1 percent of lottery dollars to support athletics and graduate scholarships across the seven public universities. Funding intercollegiate athletics and academic scholarships through the Sports Lottery positively aff ects enrollment, retention and increased diversity for about 2,500 students every year at Oregon’s public universities.

PSU and Oregon’s public universities are seeking a $9.9 million investment to sustain funding for several stateserving programs, including the Cybersecurity Center of Excellence at PSU.

PSU Students receive the most amount of federal student aid than any other public university in the state. That’s why PSU is supportive of national efforts to Double the Pell.
The Federal Pell Grant is a proven program that has been the foundation of federal student aid for decades, opening the doors of college and opportunity to lower- and moderate-income students. The share of college costs covered by the Pell Grant is at an all-time low. Doubling the maximum annual Pell Grant award to $13,000 will help more students earn a degree, get a good-paying job and ensure greater economic mobility and a brighter future.

PSU faculty make a bigger impact with their work when they secure external support for their research.