The Higher Education Coordinating Commission (HECC) is the State of Oregon's public commission working to improve equitable access to and success in higher education and workforce training for Oregonians. The Commission conducts its work at public meetings and welcomes engagement. Here you can get an introduction to the Commission’s work and structure.
Public Meeting Materials
If you are seeking public meeting materials and details, go to the link below.
Find details on public meetings of the Commission and subcommittees.
About the Commission’s Work
The HECC is a State of Oregon commission that works on behalf of all Oregonians to coordinate funding and policy across public and private postsecondary education and training. The Commission convenes partners across the higher education and workforce landscape, and works to improve affordability, equity, student success, and economic and community impact. The public policy and funding decisions made by the Commission are guided by the
State’s educational attainment goals and a
strategic plan that is anchored in the
HECC Equity Lens. The Commission also advises the
Oregon Legislature and the
Governor on policy and funding to meet state postsecondary goals.
Find highlights of the major duties, authorities defined in Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS), and functions of the Commission below.
Developing state goals for the postsecondary system, including community colleges, public universities, and student access programs - 350.075(3)(a)
Adopting a strategic plan for achieving the state’s postsecondary goals - 350.075(3)(d)
Developing a comprehensive, biennial higher education and workforce development budget request linked to the strategic plan - 350.075 (3)(b), 350.075 (3)(e), 350.090, 350.095, 341.626, 352.089
Advising the Governor, Legislative Assembly, institutions, and other governmental entities on higher education policy, including issues of university governance - 350.075(3)(h), 350.075(6)
Adopting formulas for the distribution of state funding to community colleges and, separately, public universities - 341.626, 350.075(3)(f)
Adopting methodologies for the distribution of state financial aid to Oregon students - 350.075(3)(f), Chapter 348
Developing, awarding, and monitoring grants and contracts for the distribution of state and federal funding to higher education and workforce partners - 350.075
Approving mission statements for public universities - 350.075(3)(h), 352.089(1)
Approving significant changes to academic programs at public universities and community colleges, including new certificates/degrees - 350.075(3)(g), 341.465, 352.089(2)
Approving statewide transfer pathways, a common course numbering system, and policies and procedures related to the movement of students between community colleges and public universities - 350.395 to 350.429
Setting standards for high school equivalency, accelerated college credit programs, credit for prior learning; encouraging competency-based education, open educational resources, career and technical education, diverse educator recruitment - ORS 350.175, 340.310, 350.417, 350.110, 350.125, 660.350, 348.748 to 348.757, 344.070 to 344.090, 350.100
Authorizing private and out-of-state degree-granting colleges and universities - 348.594 to 348.615
Licensing private career schools - Chapter 345
Administering interstate agreements for the authorization of postsecondary distance education - 350.075(3)(k)
For public universities, approving resident tuition increases greater than 5% and adjudicating disputes over mandatory incidental fees - 350.075(3)(h), 352.102, 352.105
Implementing a process to review and appropriately act on student complaints regarding any postsecondary institution in Oregon - 350.075(4)
Overseeing the formation and modification of community college districts and colleges; the provision of community college services outside districts and to correctional institutions -341.025 to 341.115, 341.405, 341.565 to 341.579, 341.019 to 341.024, 341.317
In collaboration with the Oregon Employment Department and the State Workforce Talent Development Board, developing and implementing a workforce delivery system focused on talent and skills development - 660.318, 660.346, 660.380 to 660.420.
Operating a youth employment program, youth corps programs, and federal service programs - 660.320, 660.353, 660.500 to 660.523, 418.653 to 418.658, 476.694
Administering the Oregon Opportunity Grant, the Oregon Promise, Oregon Tribal Student Grant, ASPIRE, and other student financial aid and access programs - 348.005 to 348.592, 341.522, 341.526
Coordinating and administering Oregon’s inter-agency longitudinal data system - 350.075(3)(L), 350.075(3)(m)
Conducting data collection, analysis, research, and reporting across all sectors of higher education - 350.075
Conducting biennial evaluations of public universities - 352.061
Stay Engaged with the Commission’s Work
Attend a public meeting.
Stay informed.