SOU President Outlines Stability Plan After Emergency Funding Approval

ASHLAND, Ore. — Work is well underway to develop a long-term plan to bring financial and operational stability to Southern Oregon University, according to SOU President Richard Bailey, in a video message posted on the SOU website.

Bailey’s assurance follows a recent decision by lawmakers to approve a special funding allocation that will allow the financially strapped SOU to continue operating through to June next year.

Oregon Lawmakers Approved a $15 Million Emergency Funding Package

Oregon lawmakers approved a $15 million emergency funding package during the short legislative session earlier this month. The money will address a critical cash-flow shortage to ensure stability through to mid-2027.

The university’s financial crisis has been fueled by declining enrollment, high labor costs, and inadequate state funding.

In his video message, Bailey states that the SOU was only able to remain operational because of a 2023 Forward Plan and a 2025 Resiliency Plan. Both plans were developed to address imbalances in the university’s financial structure..

However, he says the underlying issues persist and are the reason for the cash-flow gap.

The president reports that SOU is working with a consultant to develop a long-term financial and operational plan to serve as a stability roadmap through to 2027-29 and beyond.

Oregon lawmakers have given SOU until the end of April to develop the plan.