EOU Board of Trustees Focuses on Access, Advocacy and Long-Term Investment

EOU Board of Trustees Focuses on Access, Advocacy and Long-Term Investment

LA GRANDE, Ore. – The Eastern Oregon University Board of Trustees met February 18–19, 2026, advancing governance improvements, reviewing state funding issues, and reinforcing EOU’s role as Oregon’s Rural University. 

Central themes of the meeting were access and advocacy. Trustees discussed digital accessibility compliance and faculty innovation to support student success, and learned from students who met with legislators during the Public University Student Lobby Day on Feb. 12 in support of funding to improve access to higher education. 

President Kelly Ryan and Vice President for University Advancement Tim Seydel provided state and federal legislative updates and reviewed the Higher Education Coordinating Commission’s Spending & Efficiency Report. Trustees expressed concern about Oregon’s low national ranking in per capita higher education funding and emphasized the need for sustained, systemic investment to better serve students and rural communities.

The board approved the FY27–29 Capital Planning Request, including four projects to be forwarded for ranking and state bonding support in the 2027 legislative session. Governance updates were reviewed and accepted, reducing the size of two standing committees and revising the Governance Committee Charter to streamline meetings and improve board effectiveness.

Trustees also highlighted the importance of personal advocacy, encouraging members to share their commitment to public higher education and to communicate about the complexities of state funding resources and challenges with the state’s Student Success and Completion Model. 

Access and advocacy are also key components of the EOU Foundation’s upcoming comprehensive campaign. The Board received an update on the campaign feasibility study, which is scheduled to be completed in March. 

Meeting materials and recordings are available through the EOU governance webpage.For more information about public comment, see sections 8 and 9 of Board Statement No. 1, Conduct of Public Meetings.  EOU Board of Trustees Regular and Committee meetings are accessible to persons with disabilities.  If special accommodations are required, please contact (541) 962-3006 or board@eou.edu at least 72 hours in advance.