The Rogue Community College Foundation Board has approved a $650,000 investment to support RCC programs.
Last month, the Oregon Legislative Fiscal Office directed state agencies to prepare for a potential budget cut for the 2025-27 biennium in response to a projected shortfall to the state budget. For RCC, this directive equates to what could be a $1.25 million budget reduction each year of the biennium.
The RCC Foundation’s funding aims to help bridge this gap, ensuring stability for students, faculty and essential programs, allowing RCC to avoid personnel reductions this year and continue delivering high-quality, accessible education to Southern Oregon.
RCC continues to experience higher-than-average enrollment compared to the state’s 16 other community colleges. Due to funding caps in the state’s growth management formula, the college does not receive reimbursement for more than 20% of the students it serves, making external support even more vital.
Despite these challenges, the college has earned significant statewide and national recognition. Most recently, RCC was named an Opportunity College by the Carnegie Foundation, an honor specifically acknowledging RCC’s success in helping students transition into healthy-wage careers.
