Board mulls education issues By Mike Sims Of Um Emerald The State Board of Higher Education discussed a variety of topics relating to academic reform during its two-day retreat at the Hatfield Marine Sciences Center in Newport on Wednesday and Thursday. Chancellor Bud Davis ex plained that the board's primary objective during the retreat was to address the major problem facing Oregon’s system of higher education: funding for academics. The chancellor stated several facts that paint a dim picture of the state higher education system’s fiscal situation. Davis said Oregon ranks last among Western states and in the lower 10 percent nationally in terms of faculty salaries at its public colleges and universities. Davis asserted that passage of Ballot Measure 2, a 1.5 percent property tax limitation measure, on the Nov. 6 general election ballot would be very detrimental to Oregon’s public schools and would have grave consequences for higher educa tion in Oregon. The board proposed and drafted a resolution opposing the measure during the retreat, and then unanimously approv ed the resolution at its regular monthly meeting Friday in Monmouth. Davis also reiterated a belief that the system needs to put more money into building repairs, maintenance and equipment at its eight colleges and universities. He said that such a commitment is essential pUO== BOOKSTORE ALL 12, 24, 36 EXP DEVELOP & PRINT $1.89 SEPT. 24-28 KODAK FILM KODACOLOR VR ASA 100 Special Hours: Mon., Tues., Wed., 7:30 am • • pm if the higher education system is to make a "full contribution” to Oregon’s economic development. Specifically, Davis said that full computerization of the state college and university cam puses, particularly libraries, was essential. And Davis again expressed a concern that if the 1985 Legislature were to give the state higher education system less than its requested $641 million budget, Oregon’s public colleges and universities might be forced to restrict enrollment. Much of the first day of the retreat war. spent hammering out campaign strategy for the 1985 legislative session, during which the 1985-87 higher education budget will be allocated. Davis and Wil Post, vice chancellor for academic af fairs, told board members that they had discussed the board’s higher-education budget re quest with 57 legislative can didates and possible 1985 Continued on Page 8 m LIVE COIMEO' ^G€T READY FOR THL BEST IN COMEDY! FEATURING he pac * cohcp/ tocf Also APPEARING AND CASUALLY INSANE' MIKE 'BOATS' JOHNSON MONDAY -SEPTEMBER 24th I ,W_/> 8 30 SHOWTIME f m $3.00 ADMISSION Main