OSU moves ahead on COSU

      OSU will take the lead in developing Oregon’s first branch university campus in central Oregon. The decision was made by the Oregon State Board of Higher Education at its February meeting.
      OSU-Central Oregon will bring for the first time a complete four-year university program to Oregon’s fastest-growing region. Implementation will require start-up funding by the Oregon Legislature. A request for 2001-2003 funding is now before state lawmakers.
       Undergraduate majors will include a program in Outdoor Recreation Leadership and Tourism, to be offered jointly by the Colleges of Forestry and Health and Human Performance, and the Natural Resources program, offered jointly by the Colleges of Forestry, Agricultural Sciences, Liberal Arts, and Science. Eventually the OSU-Central Oregon’s academic programs will include bachelor’s degree programs in 25 fields, as well as 11
master’s programs.
       OSU President Paul Risser says that if all goes as planned, OSU-Central Oregon will enroll its first students this fall. OSU will work with the University of Oregon and with the Chancellor’s Office to develop an implementation plan by April 1 and appoint a full-time interim chief executive officer by September.