Tagged: Education and Training

Young adults in the Pacific Northwest are becoming less likely to hold college degrees, according to a federal report released Thursday.

A new report from the U.S. Department of Education shows that across the country, the share of 25 to 34-year-olds with college degrees crept up from 2009 to 2010. But that’s not the story in Oregon, Washington and Idaho.

The State Board of Higher Education has formally hired Michael Gottfredson to lead the University of Oregon. He was appointed president Friday.

Dr. Gottfredson has been a senior administrator at the University of California, Irvine for 12 Years. He says his first order of business is to get to know the University of Oregon better.

“There’s one overwhelming impression, great enthusiasm for the University of Oregon from every quarter: faculty, students, community," Gottfredson says. "I had very high expectations and they have been exceeded in every way.”

Dr. Michael Gottfredson has been selected as the finalist for the new president of the University of Oregon.

Gottfredson has served as Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost at the University of California Irvine since 2000. He is an expert in criminology. Oregon University System Chancellor George Pernsteiner calls Gottfredson an academic leader of distinction.

"That's a great combination for Oregon," Pernsteiner says. "Somebody who is committed to higher education and has a track record of real success and is able to work collaboratively with the other elements of education in this state for the betterment of the state and its citizens."

Oregon's Board of Higher Education voted Friday to raise tuition for most students at state supported schools. The increases vary from place to place. And for Portland State University, for example, the adjustment means a 1.4 percent reduction in tuition and fees. But for Southern Oregon University, it's a 9.9 percent increase in tuition.

University system staff pointed out that the state has cut funding for higher education by 16 percent for the coming fiscal year.

Board members like Lynda Ciafetti say they saw few options.

Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber's pick for the state’s new education chief is so far winning praise from school leaders. But Rudy Crew’s lengthy career includes many clashes with local school officials. Salem Correspondent Chris Lehman reports:

Kitzhaber wants Crew to be in charge of re-shaping the state's education system from pre-school through college. Crew has worked in some of the nation's largest school districts, such as New York, Miami and Tacoma. Crew says he knows he has a challenge ahead of him in Oregon.

At graduation ceremonies across the Northwest this spring, a handful of people will receive what are known as “honorary degrees.” Typically, they’re awarded to distinguished humanitarians, writers and entrepreneurs. But correspondent Jessica Robinson wanted to know what, if anything, you can actually do with an honorary degree.