Tiffany Camhi

Governing boards from both Willamette and Pacific universities signed a binding agreement this month to merge the two schools, according to a press statement released from the universities Tuesday. This comes after the schools announced a tentative plan to join forces in December 2025.

The grant will fuel a statewide partnership, led by Oregon State University, that aims to boost chip manufacturing, artificial intelligence research and the state’s semiconductor workforce.

Oregonians looking to skill-up quickly now have access to federal student aid. But most colleges in the state won’t have eligible workforce programs until next year.

State leaders hoped that the Oregon Promise Grant would entice more high school graduates to enroll in community college. So far, its impact has been limited.

Sherman Bloomer had been the leader of OSU’s Bend campus since 2023.

Enrollment in Oregon State University’s e-campus is sluggish this school year and contributing to a projected $12 million operating budget shortfall.

A university spending efficiency report concludes that to serve students and thrive financially, Oregon’s public universities must break from the status quo.

Oregon’s efforts to diversify its teaching workforce are doing better than other states. But the Beaver State’s recent gains in licensing educators from underrepresented groups could begin to dwindle in 2026 due to possible budget cuts.

Oregon’s two oldest private universities say their plan to consolidate will benefit students, the state’s workforce and help future-proof the institutions.

Higher education advocates say the compact equates to a loyalty oath and infringes on the academic freedoms that are inherent to many universities’ missions.