Tuition Reduction Maintenance and Expansion
In the fall of 2000, AOF prompted the State Board of Higher Education to adopt an administrative rule that allowed spouses and dependent children of faculty to take coursework at any member institution of the Oregon University System (OUS) at the reduced rate ($15 per credit hour). In the initial rulemaking, the number of hours taken was capped at 10 and the program was instituted on a two year trial basis.
Adoption of this rule was the culmination of a two year effort by AOF to extend this benefit to spouses and dependent children. While former OUS Chancellor Joe Cox was a consistent supporter of the concept, some campus administrations registered significant opposition that was eventually surmounted. During the course of the negotiations, this idea seemed dead more often than it seemed alive.
The first two year trial period passed successfully and the program was reauthorized in the fall of 2002. At that time, the program was enhanced to allow up to 12 credit hours per term, the equivalent of a “full load” at most campuses.
The essential features of the program are as follows:
- Spouses and children of faculty are able to take up to 12 credit hours per term at the reduced faculty tuition rate.
- All OUS institutions will participate in the program on a fully reciprocal basis.
- Course work at the reduced rate will be permitted at the undergraduate and graduate levels.