Southern Oregon University Faces $20 Million Budget Cut as It Tries to Secure Emergency Funding
ASHLAND, Ore. — After trimming one-fifth of its budget under recommendations from consulting firm Deloitte, Southern Oregon University must now serve as a model for other higher education institutions confronting similar financial strain.
“We can’t just become a smaller version of ourselves,” warns SOU President, Richard J. Bailey in his monthly video message.
SOU is facing a deficit of over $12 million, which is expected to escalate to nearly $17 million by 2030.
The university has until next month to adopt a financial stability plan to qualify for $15 million in emergency funding passed by Oregon lawmakers in March.
Sources: Oregon HECC Emergency Board request and SOU/Deloitte sustainability materials
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The final plan will be presented to the SOU Board of Trustees on June 18 and must cut back $20 million of the institution’s $100 million budget. The process involves potential trade-offs, as well as some adjustments to the Deloitte recommendations to “fit SOU,” says Bailey.
Bailey says a transformed version of SOU must serve as a model for other colleges and universities in Oregon and elsewhere facing similar financial challenges.