In this report, we examined five kinds of equity-focused metrics in state OBF policies to determine the extent to which states prioritize the enrollment and success of students of color and students from low-income backgrounds:
- Enrollment metrics for students of color
- Success metrics for students of color
- Enrollment metrics for students from low-income backgrounds
- Success metrics for students from low-income backgrounds
- Metrics related to campus racial climate
While the inclusion of these metrics in policies is essential, how they are deployed is equally as important. Therefore, we also considered whether the metrics were mandatory, optional, or weighted. Weighted metrics are the most ideal. These are mandatory and are given additional value, so strong institutional performance on a weighted metric would garner greater advantage or funding.
Four-Year Institutions
Oregon adopted outcomes-based funding in 2015. It is allocated as base funding annually.
In 2014, Oregon’s Higher Education Coordinating Commission (HECC) committed to replace the Resource Allocation Model (RAM), which for decades had allocated state support to Oregon’s seven public universities based almost entirely on enrollment. In 2015, the HECC adopted a new formula for the distribution of state funding for public universities. At its core, this formula aligns state resources with the state’s desired outcomes for students, including degree completion.
The metrics include:
- Mission Differentiation
- Allocation off the top
- Based on historical levels + inflation
- Provides funding stability for regional institutions and acknowledges mission-specific needs
- Activity-Based
- Based on course completions
- Cost weighting of courses by discipline
- Completion Funding
- Includes degree completions at undergraduate and graduate levels
- Bachelor’s degrees awarded to transfer students are discounted
- Additional weights for traditionally underserved students and students who complete in critical areas for the state:
- Low-Income
- Underrepresented Minority
- Rural
- Veteran
Oregon’s OBF policy gives additional weights for rural students and veterans. The policy does not have a metric that measures campus climate. The state of Oregon provides a set-aside for incarcerated students who take coursework at two-year institutions, but this is not included in the four-year funding formula.
The policy is overseen by the Higher Education Coordinating Commission. To learn more, visit https://www.oregon.gov/highered/institutions-programs/postsecondary-finance-capital/Pages/university-funding-model.aspx.
Two-Year Institutions |
|
| Enrollment of Students of Color | None |
| Success of Students of Color | Weight |
| Enrollment of Students from Low-Income Backgrounds | None |
| Success of Students from Low-Income Backgrounds | Weight |
| Measure Related to Campus Climate | None |
Outcomes-Based Funding Map