OSU-Cascades set to announce new campus size

OSU-Cascades Vice President Becky Johnson said Monday the college is right on track to expanding into a full, four-year university.

Before a meeting of the OSU-Cascades board Monday, Johnson told NewsChannel 21 the university expects to unveil the campus size before April.

Next is deciding the final location. Johnson said she hopes university officials will begin negotiating real estate options this Spring.

“Can we be here in the heart of the city?” Johnson asked. “Do we need to go find 50 or 100 acres somewhere? So as soon as we get that information, we can get much more specific on the location of the campus.”

She said the university will also have to decide if it is feasible and necessary to build from the ground up, or purchase and remodel existing buildings.

Johnson said negotiations hinge of whether the Oregon Legislature approves the college’s $16 million bond, proposed by Gov, John Kitzhaber.

The board also discussed finalizing the hiring of new faculty for new degree options this fall.