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A state's university system often falls under stress at times when taxpayers are least able to do much about it.

Students flock to the system because they need better training for the reduced number of jobs available. Meanwhile, the economy isn't producing the tax revenue it takes to build the programs and facilities to accommodate the increased number of students.

That's where Oregon has been for the past few years. The years ahead promise more of the same and a look back over the years preceding the current recession shows a cycle of "bust" and, well, it would be hard to call it "boom." The busts are coming closer together, lasting longer and the economic outlook is deeply uncertain.

Oregon can't do much about the national economy, but it can do some things to improve the state's economic underpinnings. That's where the state's university system gets involved.

The system, which includes Oregon Institute of Technology and five other universities, can be a big revenue generator for the state economy, as well as a major asset in other ways.

 But the University System needs to be able to make the most of the funds it gets.

That's the logic behind a vote by the Oregon Board of Higher Education Friday to ask that the state's University System be converted to a more independent arm of state government that will let it be more flexible and efficient.

A long-time problem

Higher education officials, including Chancellor George Pernsteiner, have been criticizing the existing structure for years as too bureaucratic, expensive and cumbersome. Oregon's bad economy adds a measure of desperation to that feeling. What could be tolerated during better economic times can't be tolerated now.

Last month, Portland State University President Wim Wiewel wrote in a commentary in the Portland Oregonian that, "The success of the class of 2010 comes despite dwindling state support for higher education and an outdated state agency structure. State funding for the Oregon University System has declined by 16 percent over the past two decades when adjusted for inflation, yet enrollment has jumped 27 percent in that period. As a result, our state universities can no longer afford to operate under an old system replete with inefficiencies, barriers and high costs."

The proposal for change will be made to the next Legislature and a new governor. By no means is this change a sure thing. It's also possible that a new plan that emerges from the Legislature could do more harm than good, depending on its form.

For example, how would the smaller universities, such as OIT, fare under a new plan? We'd like to think that OIT would fare well. Its value is well-established and has greatly expanded into programs in demand such as health sciences and renewable energy.

The system as a whole can do more. It's time to be at least a little bit daring and make full use of the imagination and drive available at the individual institutions within the university system.

Editorial board

    Pat Bushey wrote today's editorial.

    The members of the Herald and News editorial board are Publisher Heidi Wright, Editor Steve Miller and Opinion Editor Pat Bushey.

    The community advisors to the editorial board are Ernie Palmer, Kate Marquez and Steve Harper.