SALEM -- The first draft of a bill to give some universities more independence from the statewide university system would prohibit them from raising in-state undergraduate tuition more than 5 percent a year.
The legislation would create local governing boards for the universities that want them, with limited control over the school's operation. University of Oregon and Portland State University have expressed interest in such flexibility.
The local boards would have authority to hire and fire the president, faculty and staff. They'd be able to set tuition for graduate and nonresident students without restrictions.
The legislation is still in a preliminary stage and could change considerably before lawmakers ever take a vote.
