(1) The Legislative Assembly finds that the State of Oregon will benefit from having public universities with governing boards that:

(a) Provide transparency, public accountability and support for the university.

(b) Are close to and closely focused on the individual university.

(c) Lead to greater access and affordability for Oregon residents and do not disadvantage Oregon students relative to out-of-state students.

(d) Act in the best interests of both the university and the State of Oregon as a whole.

(e) Promote the academic success of students in support of the mission of all education beyond high school as described in ORS § 350.014.

(2) The Legislative Assembly also finds that:

(a) Even with universities with governing boards, there are economy-of-scale benefits to having a coordinated university system.

(b) Even with universities with governing boards, shared services may continue to be shared among universities.

(c) Legal title to all real property, whether acquired before or after the creation of a governing board, through state funding, revenue bonds or philanthropy, shall be taken and held in the name of the State of Oregon, acting by and through the governing board.

(d) The Legislative Assembly has a responsibility to monitor the success of governing boards at fulfilling their missions, their compacts and the principles stated in this section. [2013 c.768 § 1; 2017 c.440 § 7]