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 HECC NEWS CLIPS

APRIL 13, 2023

A weekly update from the Oregon Higher Education Coordinating Commission (HECC)

HECC Events and Resources

Legislative Session Resources 2023 

To find resources on the HECC's role in the 2023 legislative session, including testimony and presentations, see our 2023 Legislative Resources web page here. The page includes recent testimony and a fact sheet on the investment in higher education and workforce training in the Governor's Recommended Budget (GRB).

Community Partners Encouraged to Apply for Future Ready Oregon Funding to Advance Equity in Education and Employment

In a recent press release, the HECC announced that the Request for Applications (RFA) is now open for Future Ready Oregon’s Workforce Ready Grants. This funding opportunity, which promises to be the largest Future Ready Oregon investment to date, will advance innovative and collaborative workforce development programming and partnerships that center the needs of Oregon’s historically underserved communities. Up to $35 million may be awarded to community-based organizations and workforce service providers to develop education and training programs that connect individuals to the resources they need for good-paying jobs and meaningful careers in key sectors of Oregon’s economy – healthcare, manufacturing, and technology.  Go to the HECC Grants  and Contracting Opportunities webpage to view the Request for Applications (RFA) materials (in English and Spanish) or to register for an Information Session. Applications are due June 23, 2023.

UPATED DATES: HECC 2023 Budget Presentation and Public Comment Opportunities  

The HECC has started presentations to the Joint Committee on Ways and Means, Subcommittee on Education on the Governor's recommendations for the comprehensive postsecondary education and training budget for 2023-25. Please note some of the dates have been updated since we last shared them, and are still subject to change, but we are sharing the current plan for the schedule so that individuals who wish to watch the presentations (in person or by video or audio) or provide public comment (in person or through written testimony) can plan to do so. Please see the subcommittee website for final dates, agendas, and directions for submitting testimony.  The Committee meets from 8:00 to 9:30 AM on Monday through Thursday.

• April 3, 4, 5, 6, 12:  HECC Days 1-6 presentations on the postsecondary and training budget (see the detailed list of topics and HECC presentation materials here or on the subcommittee website). 
• April 17 (tentative): HECC Day 7, Investment in Institutions: Funding Levels
• April 18 (tentative): OPPORTUNITY FOR PUBLIC TESTIMONY on financial aid and other HECC budget topics
• April 19 (tentative): presentations by workforce partners + OPPORTUNITY FOR PUBLIC TESTIMONY on workforce investments
• April 20, 24, 25 (tentative): presentations by Community College leaders and advocates + OPPORTUNITY FOR PUBLIC TESTIMONY on community college investments on April 25th​
• April 26, 27, May 1 (tentative): presentations by Public University leaders and advocates + OPPORTUNITIES FOR PUBLIC TESTIMONY on public university investments related to the following themes -- April 26 Public University Educational Mission, April 27 Public Service Mission, May 1 Research & Economic Mission.
• May 2 (tentative):  OHSU, HECC conclusion + OPPORTUNITY FOR PUBLIC TESTIMONY on OHSU related programs 
• May 3 (tentative): Oregon Student Association + OPPORTUNITY FOR PUBLIC TESTIMONY

Oregon Conservation Corps Website Introduces Fundraising Campaign

Oregon Conservation Corps, one of several youth-serving workforce programs housed in the HECC, has launched a website describing the statewide impact of their programs as part of the launch of a fundraising campaign. The Oregon Legislature established the Oregon Conservation Corps in 2021 to fund partner organizations across the state that employ young Oregonians to clear our land of the hazardous fuels that feed wildfires. This program makes communities safer and trains the workforce of tomorrow. Learn more about the program and the campaign here. 

Receive Alerts on New Job Opportunities at the HECC

Interested in working for the HECC? You can sign up for to receive email notifications of new job opportunities. Subscribe to HECC Employment Opportunities here. Learn more about job opportunities on our website here.

Upcoming Public Meetings or Hearings

Public comment on agenda topics is welcomed at all public meetings. See all public meeting and hearing notices on our home page here.  Sign up to receive notices by email here.

• April 14, 2023, Transfer Council Major Transfer Map OAR Subcommittee  
• April 14, 2023, Transfer Council, Common Course Numbering Math 2023 Subcommittee
• April 17, 2023, Transfer Council Common Course Numbering Outcomes and Assessment Subcommittee
• April 18, 2023, Transfer Council: Common Course Numbering Psychology Subcommittee Meeting
• April 21, 2023, Transfer Council, Common Course Numbering Math 2023 Subcommittee

Grant and Contracting Opportunities

For information on grant and contracting opportunities with the HECC please visit Grant and Contracting Opportunities here.

Other HECC Newsletters

• Subscribe to other HECC newsletters or update your subscription preferences here.

News from across the Postsecondary Landscape

Equity and Student Success 

OCCA announces 2023 All-Oregon Academic Team, April 13, 2023. OCCA press release "Oregon Community College Association is honored to announce the selection of 52
members from community colleges across the state to the 2023 All-Oregon Academic..."

Four COCC student achievers make All-Oregon Academic Team - April 12, 2023. KTVZ.com. By KTVZ news sources. "Central Oregon Community College is pleased to announce that students Adriana Altamirano of Bend, Claire Landon of Sisters,..."

Dept. of Education awards $1.6 million to help OSU, PSU train school-based mental health professionals - April 11, 2023. KTVZ. By KTVZ news sources. "Sens. Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, D-Ore., announced the U.S. Department of Education..." 

SOU Native American student union host traditional pow-wow - April 8, 2023. KDRV.com. By Mariah Hill. "The Southern Oregon University (SOU) Native American student union hosted a pow-wow on Saturday at Lithia Motors Pavilion..."

U.S. Department of Education grants nearly $600,000 to Central Oregon Community College for expanded veteran student services - April 7, 2023. The Bulletin. By Noemi Arellano-Summer. "The academic, social and emotional success..."

Bilingual outreach specialists share college, career goals - April 7, 2023. News Times. "Oregon Coast Community College has welcomed two bilingual outreach specialists to connect the Spanish-speaking community with education and career resources in Lincoln County..." 

Affordability

COCC Board approves $5 per-credit tuition hike for 2023-24 academic year. April 12, 2023. News Channel 12 KTVZ.com. "The Central Oregon Community College Board of Directors voted Wednesday evening to approve an in-district tuition increase of $5 per credit for the..."

Learner Pathways, Economic and Community Development  

Key state approval moves LCC closer to its first four-year degree, college officials said. April 13, 2023. KEZI.com. "Lane Community College (LCC) announced key state approval on Thursday morning that moved the college one step closer to offering its first four-year degree...."

IHEP Offers Lessons for Schools to Improve Transfer Pathways - April 12, 2023. Diverse Issues in Higher Education. By Jon Edelman. "Although 80% of students who enroll in community colleges plan on getting a bachelor’s degree,..."

Lane Community College unveils new degree program for in-demand, sustainable careers - April 12, 2023. NBC16.com. By News Staff. "According to a press release from Lane Community College (LCC), the College Board of Education..."

Linn-Benton Community College partners with Arizona State University - April 10, 2023. KPIC. By News Staff. "Linn-Benton Community College (LBCC) announced a new alliance with Arizona State University to provide..."

Redmond high schoolers visit COCC to check out tech and trades, from welding to self-driving cars - April 7, 2023. KTVZ. By Liam Gibler. "Students from Redmond three high schools visited the Redmond campus of Central Oregon..."

Where did the workers go? Construction jobs are plentiful, but workers are scarce - April 6, 2023. NPR/OPB. By Mary Yang. "When President Biden inked the $1 trillion deal to give roads, bridges and transit systems a boost, union..."

Leadership, Funding, and Policy  

Blue Mountain Community College drops contract with prisons, seeks Pell funding - April 13, 2023. East Oregonian. By Dakota Castets-Didier. "The Blue Mountain Community College Board of Education has voted not to renew a contract..."

Recommitting to ‘Stewardship of Place’ - April 12, 2023. Inside Higher Ed. By Liam Knox. "A new report takes stock of how regional public institutions are serving local communities—and offers lessons for those looking to do so more effectively..."

Portland State University rearms campus police - April 11, 2023. OPB. By Rob Manning. "Campus police officers at Portland State University quietly resumed carrying guns almost two months ago in response..."

Literacy bill makes its way through Oregon legislature - April 10, 2023. KLCC.org. By Jasmine Lewin. "A bill that supporters hope will improve literacy rates is making its way through Oregon’s legislature..."

Oregon budget writers starting road trip with Saturday visit to Portland - April 7, 2023. Oregon Capital Chronicle. By Julia Shumway. "Faced with a heap of funding requests and limited resources, legislative budget writers..."

UO's new president, Scholz, is ready to school - April 7, 2023. Daily Emerald. By Jasmine Saboorian. "On March 13, the University of Oregon selected John Karl Scholz, economist, professor and provost at the University of Wisconsin-Madison,..."

Taking a deep dive into the Oregon state budget - April 6, 2023. KGW. By Pat Dooris and Jamie Parfitt. "Some aspects of state government are vitally important, but extraordinarily dense — even boring..." 

About Recent News

The Higher Education Coordinating Commission (HECC) NEWS CLIPS section on News from across the Postsecondary Education and Training Landscape contains links to news content that contains information created, published, maintained, or otherwise posted by institutions or organizations independent of the HECC. These clips feature a selection of recent postsecondary education and related news links, from reputable, non-partisan media sources and institutional or government partners. We do not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, efficacy, or timeliness of information available via these links. 

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