Higher Education Coordinating Commission

December 10, 2015

1

Western Oregon University and its

role in Oregon’s effort to reach 40/40/20

6

HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 2006MEASURING OREGON AGAINST 40-40-20

23%35% 36%

19%

48%

52% 51%

47%

24%

6%

4% 4%

6%

8% 8%

28%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

White Selected racional/

ethnic subgroups*

Free and Reduced

Lunch (FRL)

Non-FRL

Bachelor's or advanced degree

Associate's degree or certificate (estimate)

High school completion

Less than high school

*African-American, Hispanic, Native American

Source: HECC analysis of Oregon Learns The Education Pathway

Oregon Public High School Graduates by Race/Ethnicity 1996-97 to 2008-09 (Actual), 2009-10 to 2027-28 (Projected)

45,000

40,000

35,000

30,000

25,000

20,000

15,000

10,000

5,000

0

Key facts

• Year founded: 1856

• Campus size (acres): 157

• Total enrollment: ~5,500 (82% UG and 18% Grad)

• Number of undergraduate students: ~4,800

• 47% Pell compared to 40% for Oregon public universities

• 67% rely on loans compared to 52% for Oregon public universities

Key Facts

• Student-to-faculty ratio: 18:1

• Average class size: 22

• Average high school GPA: 3.2 (unweighted)

• Geographic origins of undergraduate students: 80% In-state; 14% Out-of-state; 6% International

• Gender distribution: 40% men; 60% women

• Students of color: 29% non-white

• Number of clubs and student organizations: 62

Key Facts• WOU offers 62 undergraduate degree programs, 12 graduate

degree programs with seven additional graduate programs that provide licenses and endorsements.

• Most popular undergraduate majors:• Education ~700

• Business ~600

• Exercise Science/Health related ~600

• Criminal Justice ~450

• Psychology ~400

• Science/Math/Computer Science ~500

• Largest graduate programs are Education (special education, ESOL, reading), MIS, Criminal Justice, and Music.

GPA of Entering Freshman

2011 2012 2013 2014 2015

Male 3.00 3.04 3.06 3.10 3.21

Female 3.24 3.29 3.31 3.30 3.35

Combined 3.12 3.17 3.19 3.20 3.28

Mission

Western Oregon University is a comprehensive public university, operating for the public good, which:

• Provides effective learning opportunities that prepare students for a fulfilling life in a global society;

• Supports an accessible and diverse campus community; and,

• Improves continuously our educational, financial, and environmental sustainability.

• Western is Oregon’s oldest public university that:

• offers exemplary undergraduate and graduate programs in a supportive and rigorous learning environment.

• works to ensure the success of students and the advancement of knowledge as a service to Oregon and the region

• works in partnership with PK-12 schools, community colleges and other institutions of higher education, government, and local and global communities

A liberal (comprehensive) education

“This approach to a college education provides both broad knowledge in a variety of areas of study and knowledge in a specific major or field of interest. It also helps students develop a sense of social responsibility, as well as intellectual and practical skills that span all areas of study, such as communication, analytical, and problem-solving skills, and a demonstrated ability to apply knowledge and skills in real-world settings.”

(American Academy of Arts and Sciences , The Heart of the Matter, p. 33, 2013)

A Look Forward – WOU

• Access, affordability, excellence, and opportunity

• Access and affordability• 47% Pell compared to 40% for Oregon public universities

• 67% rely on loans compared to 52% for Oregon public universities

Tuition

• Western Promise—fixes tuition for four years

• Traditional plan—tuition is set annually

2015-16 Academic Year—Undergraduate

Oregon Non-Resident

Tuition & Fees $ 9,102 $ 22,896

Books & Supplies $ 1,350 $ 1,350

Room & Board $ 9,963 $ 9,963

Miscellaneous $ 2,982 $ 2,982

Total $ 23,397 $ 37,191

Excellence and Opportunity

Oregon Public High School Graduates by Race/Ethnicity, 1996-97 to2008-09 (Actual), 2009-10 to 2027-28 (Projected)"

Gallup survey—the odds of strongly agreeing college was worth the cost are:• 1.9 times higher if a professor or staff member cared about them as a

person

• 1.9 times higher if a mentor encouraged them to chase their goals/dreams

• 1.8 times higher if a professor made them excited about learning

• 1.6 times higher if they worked on a long-term project

• 1.6 times higher if extremely involved in extra-curricular activities

• 1.5 times higher if they had a job/internship

• 1.4 times higher if they held a leadership position

• 1.3 times higher if they were in a fraternity or sorority

Western’s Future is Bright

• Best kept secret Best known opportunity

• Some of the things we need to do are:

– Engage the community

– Increase our visibility

– Be the school of choice for students

– Keep a focus on access, affordability, excellence, and opportunity

Questions?

Rex Fuller, President

Western Oregon University

rfuller@wou.edu

503-838-8888