Governor Kulongoski visits EOU,
highlights proposed education plan
Governor Kulongoski talks about his proposed "education enterprise" plan for Oregon schools during a town hall meeting held Wednesday in Huber Auditorium.
La Grande, Oregon – On the third stop of a two-week tour of the state, Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski visited Eastern Oregon University Wednesday to talk with leaders in education, the community, and local businesses.
Kulongoski discussed his proposed education plan for Oregon to provide predictability, stability and investment – what he calls an “education enterprise.”
"Predictability is what EOU, the president (Fatemi) and everyone is looking for."
— Gov. Ted Kulongoski
EOU President Khosrow Fatemi facilitated the governor’s roundtable discussion with an editorial board, followed by a town hall meeting in Badgley Hall’s Huber Auditorium. Kulongoski applauded the university for looking forward to the future by reaching out to students in remote areas of the state through its distance education program.
“This university is actually trying to pioneer this concept (distance education) in eastern Oregon,” Kulongoski said.
A global economy, driven by technology, is the future Kulongoski sees. The best way Oregon can compete in that economy, he said, will be to invest in education. Kulongoski also said that the lack of financial aid available to students contributes to the downward trend of college graduates, which is devastating to Oregon’s economy.
Left: Oregon Gov.Ted Kulongoski addresses an editorial board meeting, facilitated
by EOU President Khosrow Fatemi. Right: Kulongoski stops to talk with SEIU members
rallying on campus.
Kulongoski is proposing a new level of predictability: a steady stream of revenue supporting education beginning with pre-kindergarten and continuing through college and job training programs. This would be accomplished by guaranteeing the budget for the last two years, plus a 10 percent increase.
Stability in the governor’s plan will come in the form of a “Rainy Day Fund,” allowing for Oregon’s school systems to not be completely dependent on the fluctuations within the economy. Kulongoski suggests that excess revenue over the 10 percent growth should be allocated to an “Education and Opportunity Fund” with two channels: A “Successful Schools Fund” and a “Post-Secondary Academic and Workforce Investment Fund.” This investment plan is designed to provide support for programs in every level of education.
“Predictability is what EOU, the president (Fatemi) and everyone is looking for,” Kulongoski said during the roundtable.
The governor continued on his statewide education tour after leaving EOU, wrapping up the day at Blue Mountain Community College in Pendleton. Next week he is scheduled to visit the western part of the state.
Story and photos by Laura Hancock
Media and Publications Writer
lhancock@eou.edu
Contact Information for Admissions
Eastern Oregon University
University Advancement
One University Boulevard
Ackerman Hall, Room 209
La Grande, OR 97850
Phone: 541-962-3740
Fax: 541-962-3680
Email: advancement@eou.edu