Administrators at Oregon State University Cascades campus say they've passed a significant milestone in the quest to bring a four-year university to Central Oregon.
Students take notes during a course on hospitality at the OSU Cascades campus.
David Nogueras / OPB
The university leaders say they've surpassed their goal for raising $1 million in six weeks.
Becky Johnson, vice-president at OSU and head of the Cascades campus, says that so far the school's capital campaign has brought in $1.5 million, exceeding its initial goal by 50 percent.
"For over 30 years, Central Oregon has been trying to figure out how to get a four-year university here and this is a statement that we're willing to do our part to make it happen," she says.
Johnson says the university will continue its fundraising efforts with the goal of raising a total of $4 million toward the project. The school is also seeking approval to issue state bonds totalling $16 million.
The state Board of Education is scheduled to convene the first week of August. Johnson says she hopes the board will endorse the plan at that meeting.
