Keeping its promise to students, Oregon Tech reduces tuition rate for 2019-20

Oregon Tech will use much of this increased funding to benefit its students by reducing the tuition increase rates

The Oregon Institute of Technology’s (Oregon Tech’s) president, Dr. Nagi Naganathan, today announced that the university would reduce its tuition rate increase to 6 percent, instead of the previously announced rate increase of 9 percent. This is based on the budget approved for Oregon’s public universities by the Oregon Legislature on June 29. Oregon Tech’s Board of Trustees, at its May 30 meeting, had approved the higher rate based on legislative proposals being floated at that time, with the caveat that the rate would be reduced should the legislatively approved budget exceed those amounts.

“We’re very pleased to be able to pass the good news on the tuition rate reduction to our students and families,” said Dr. Naganathan. “Our thanks goes to Governor Brown and the Oregon Legislature for their special efforts throughout the Session to balance the needs of Oregon’s university students – particularly those with the greatest financial and academic needs – against the limitations of state resources and existing liabilities.”

The Public University Support Fund for 2019-21, which provides funding to all seven universities, was passed by both the House and Senate at $837 million, an increase of $100 million over the budget approved in the 2017 Session. Oregon Tech will use much of this increased funding to benefit its students by reducing the tuition increase rates. At the same, the university will still implement budget reductions in order to make other investments in student outreach and support services, and equipment used in teaching and lab instruction, as well as for increased scholarship support for students with financial need.

Oregon Tech utilizes a Tuition Recommendation Committee to develop its proposal for tuition increases. The committee involves strong student leadership, as well as faculty and staff engagement. Out of the 12 members on the committee, half are students. They develop a proposed rate based on student and university needs, focusing on programs, quality, affordability, support for at-risk students and budget dynamics; and forward a recommendation to the student government for their review before their recommendation to the university president. The president then brings the final recommendation to the Board of Trustees for their review and approval.