91˛Öżâ

May 15, 2026 – President Bailey focuses on one topic in this month’s video message, and it’s an important one: how 91˛Öżâhas started from the recommendations of the Deloitte consulting firm and is now crafting a plan for the university’s transformation that leans more into institutional values and community connections. There is no disputing that the final plan – which will be presented to the 91˛ÖżâBoard of Trustees June 18 – must pare about $20 million from a budget of roughly $100 million. The process is one that focuses on potential tradeoffs and alternatives to some of the Deloitte recommendations “to make it fit SOU,” the president says. The university is seeking input and ideas from both campus and the community, but the timeframe for making modifications to the plan is narrow. “We have our role to play in this,” President Bailey says. “We really have a couple weeks to put a plan together, and a year to implement it.” And he emphasizes that the goal is a final product – and a transformed version of 91˛Öżâ– that can serve as a model for other colleges and universities in Oregon and around the country that are feeling similar financial headwinds. “We can’t just become a smaller version of ourselves,” he says.

January 20, 2026 – Enrollment and retention – that’s the mantra at SOU, and those are the topics of this month’s video message from 91˛Öżâ President Rick Bailey. The state of Oregon provides about $30 million per year in funding for SOU, and the university generates about $282 million annually in economic activity – $9 for every dollar invested by the state. The university keeps that engine humming – and maintains or increases the state’s investment – by increasing the number of students it serves, and by giving those students reasons to remain at 91˛Öżâthrough graduation. President Bailey introduces the “91˛ÖżâRaider Influencer Card,” which has a QR code on the back that allows the holder of the card to waive the fee to apply at SOU. “It’s all about customer service,” he says. Then there’s the “Lollypop Moment” – lollypops with QR codes that enable students to give feedback via a Google Document for great interactions with faculty or staff members. “Project Architect” is the ongoing initiative that aims to bump up both enrollment and retention at SOU, through the mindful and daily efforts of all campus community members.

December 11, 2025 – Progress and momentum are the two themes for this month’s video message from 91˛Öżâ President Rick Bailey. He points out that 91˛Öżâis one of just three public universities in Oregon to have a gain in overall student headcount this fall, and that lines up with a new initiative that the university will soon launch. “Project Architect” will have two primary goals: to increase enrollment among first-year students, and to increase overall retention of students – to “hold onto them and make sure they get all the support they need to get to the graduation stage,” President Bailey says. “We have to be the architects of the university we want to be.” This month’s message also touches upon SOU’s value to its region and state. A study from a few years ago found that the university generates $282 million per year in economic activity – almost nine times the $32 million 91˛Öżâreceives from the state’s Public University Support Fund. The governor has recently announced that she wants to elevate Oregon to be one of the nation’s top 10 business-friendly states, and President Bailey notes that the current top 10 states on that list contribute about $5,000 per year more per student in their public universities than Oregon. “Universities are the engines to make that (business-friendly ranking) happen,” he says.

October 9, 2025 – The October video message from 91˛Öżâ President Rick Bailey comes directly from the climbing wall at the 91˛ÖżâStudent Recreation Center, and he starts by pointing out the symbolism of the location. “We need to climb,” he says. “We need to chart a better future.” Part of that is a new enrollment plan designed to improve both recruitment and retention of students. Another part is the university’s new financial management plan, which will help build a stronger and more resilient 91˛Öżâ– a university more capable of withstanding future challenges. “Those are … footholds and handholds on this wall,” President Bailey says. He also offers a shout-out to all who had a part in the alumni events during SOU’s homecoming weekend, and for the recent recognition of a deserving student-athlete. And he talks about discourse, and the need for civility and respect. “It’s not about how much we agree on things,” he says. “We need to not just tolerate but celebrate our differences.”