The Legislative Assembly finds that public higher education is necessary to accomplish the findings in ORS § 350.001 and recognizes the following as fundamental goals of public higher education in this state:

(1) Creating an educated citizenry to support responsible roles in a democratic society and provide a globally competitive workforce to drive this state’s economy, while ensuring access for all qualified Oregonians to a high-quality post-secondary education;

(2) Ensuring a high-quality learning environment that allows students to succeed;

(3) Creating original knowledge and advancing innovation; and

(4) Contributing positively to the economic, civic and cultural life of communities in all regions of Oregon. [Formerly 351.006]