Today at WOU

MONMOUTH, Ore. – Western Oregon University (WOU) is one of 22 universities named finalists for the 2023 NCAA Division II Award of Excellence, an award that recognizes events which promote student-athletes giving back and serving as leaders within their communities and on their campuses. WOU was nominated for the award in recognition of the partnership [more…]

MONMOUTH, Ore. – Western Oregon University President, Jesse Peters, recently named Katie Wojke as the university’s Vice President of Advancement, effective January 30. “She is a productive fundraiser, partnering with donors to support students, faculty, and programs. Katie is driven by the compelling mission of access to higher education and the development of outstanding future [more…]

MONMOUTH, OREGON — Western Oregon University’s recent comprehensive review and revision of undergraduate degree requirements has been selected as the winner for the 2022 Northwest Commission of Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) Beacon Award for Excellence in Student Achievement and Success.  Beginning in 2017, WOU faculty investigated alternatives to its existing general education and university degree [more…]

MONMOUTH, Ore. – Cristian Mendez-Garcia and Guadalupe “Lupe” Diaz were confirmed by the Oregon Senate to serve on the Western Oregon University Board of Trustees, succeeding former trustees Zellee Allen and Linda Herrera.  Mendez-Garcia and Diaz join new trustees Kari Nelsestuen, Angela Fasana, and Michael Reis, who were all confirmed during the June Legislative Days [more…]

MONMOUTH, OREGON— In an historic move, Western Oregon University is offering SEIU Local 503 members discounted tuition for up to 12 credits per term. This partnership will enable SEIU students the ability to access over 200 programs of their choice.  SEIU students will be able to work towards or finish a bachelor’s or master’s degree, or [more…]

MONMOUTH, OREGON—Starting fall 2022, Western Oregon is offering in-state tuition to any enrolled member of federally recognized tribes within the US. The Native American Tuition-Western Oregon University (NAT-WOU) initiative allows incoming indigenous students to pay the equivalent of WOU resident tuition regardless of their state or country of residence. Oregon’s oldest public university, Western Oregon was established [more…]

MONMOUTH, OREGON — Western Oregon acknowledges the momentous impact on many of our faculty, staff and students, with the US Supreme Court’s recent decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. Our university remains committed to the power of liberty in the Fourteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and observes that any threat to the liberty of our community and its members is a detriment [more…]

 MONMOUTH, Ore.—The Western Oregon University Board of Trustees plans to appoint Dr. Jesse Peters as the university’s next president at its June 8, 2022 meeting. Dr. Peters will succeed retired president Dr. Rex Fuller and interim president Dr. Jay Kenton.  Dr. Jesse Peters is the current Dean of Arts & Sciences at Ft. Lewis College [more…]

Western Oregon University (WOU) officially opens its doors to the new WOU:Salem campus in the downtown Vick building (525 Trade St.) with a grand opening ceremony on Monday, Sept. 20 at 10 a.m.   “We are delighted to be Oregon’s first public university to have a permanent presence in Salem,” said WOU Interim President Jay [more…]

Western Oregon University (WOU) and Willamette University signed an agreement yesterday to make it easier for WOU students interested in law to pursue a graduate degree at Willamette University College of Law (Willamette Law).   This program admits WOU undergraduate students and alumni who meet certain academic credentials to Willamette Law and gives each student [more…]

MONMOUTH, Ore. – Western Oregon University (WOU) announced today that in preparation for a predominantly in-person fall 2021, COVID-19 vaccinations will be required for students and employees who study or work in person at either the Monmouth or Salem campuses.   The vaccine requirement, among other efforts, was announced earlier today to current students in [more…]

The Western Oregon University (WOU) Board of Trustees on Wednesday approved a 2.17% increase in resident undergraduate tuition for the 2021-22 academic year, a decision that confirms WOU’s commitment to affordability for Oregon students.   The 2.17% increase is the smallest among all seven public Oregon universities with the exception of Easter Oregon University. The [more…]

The Western Oregon University (WOU) Board of Trustees on Wednesday  learned of a number of new academic offerings and heard a report from President Rex Fuller about accessibility and affordability at WOU.   Since 2017, the university has made strategic changes to offer to become the most affordable public university in Oregon for resident undergraduates. [more…]

The Western Oregon University Board of Trustees on Wednesday approved the adjusted fiscal year 2021 budget, which required an update based on actual enrollment numbers for fall 2020.   The previous FY21 budget, initially adopted at the board’s June meeting, had been based on a projected enrollment decrease of 2.5%. However, because of the COVID-19 [more…]

Western Oregon University’s (WOU) Research and Resource Center with Deaf* communities (RRCD) has received a $1 million grant from the federal Rehabilitation Service Administration (RSA). This grant supports WOU’s Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling (RMHC) program, which trains people to facilitate employment, independent living, community integration and more for individuals who are Deaf or have [more…]

Western Oregon University President Rex Fuller announced today that in an effort to “Embrace the Now” about 95% of fall courses will be delivered online at both the Monmouth campus and WOU:Salem. Previously, the university had planned a mix of in-person, hybrid and online offerings. “We’ve seen in the news that universities that have opened [more…]

The Western Oregon University Board of Trustees approved the university’s Fall 2020 Safe Operation and Instruction Plan, a requirement from the governor’s office as part of Executive Order 20-28. The approved plan will now be submitted to the Higher Education Coordinating Commission. The university’s strategy is built on the guidance the Oregon Health Authority provided [more…]

Western Oregon University (WOU) is one of 10 institutions selected to participate in the American Council on Education’s (ACE) inaugural Learner Success Laboratory (LSL). LSL is part of a suite of Transformation Labs offered by ACE to guide colleges and universities through a structured strategic planning process to advance critical institutional priorities. Participants will work [more…]

Western Oregon University Assistant Professor and Advisor Brooke Dolenc Nott’s compassionate and thoughtful approach to empower students has earned her international recognition. Nott is the recipient of the 2020 Outstanding New Advisor in the Faculty Advising category from the NACADA: The Global Community for Academic Advising, an organization with more than 14,000 international members promoting and supporting [more…]

MONMOUTH, Ore. – The Western Oregon University Board of Trustees approved a tuition increase of 4.55%, or $8 per credit, for Oregon resident undergraduate students in the 2020-21 academic year at its meeting Wednesday. The 10 WOU students, two administrators and two faculty members who make up the Tuition and Fee Advisory Committee (TFAC) recommended [more…]

The Western Oregon University Board of Trustees discussed on Wednesday updates concerning a budget shortfall for the 2019-20 fiscal year and strategies for the 2020-21 university budget that address several universal higher education hurdles. President Rex Fuller reiterated his intention that the university remain affordable to Oregonians seeking a four-year degree. “WOU is not immune [more…]

Western Oregon University (WOU) has created a dedicated team to support Concordia students with WOU employees from areas including Graduate Programs, Admissions, Academic Advising, Financial Aid, Housing and more. WOU is striving to be the most affordable transfer opportunity for Concordia students and offers personalized support to help students find pathways to graduation. Any current [more…]

Former Congress members Nick Lampson (Democrat; Texas 9th district) and Rod Chandler (Republican; Washington 45th district) will visit Western Oregon University (WOU) for a series of events Feb. 10-12 focused on sharing how the U.S. Congress functions, promoting bipartisanship and discussing the value of careers in public service. A Congress to Campus Public Forum will [more…]

Western Oregon University’s (WOU) Regional Resource Center on Deafness (RRCD) is the first to offer a nationwide American Sign Language assessment service (RSLA) in the western United States. The service uses Sign Language Proficiency Interview (SLPI) conducted in American Sign Language (ASL) model to assess the individuals’ ASL skills. The service has widespread value to [more…]

During its quarterly meeting Wednesday, the Western Oregon University Board of Trustees approved a new Bachelor of Science in Aquarium Science that encompasses a partnership with Oregon Coast Community College. In the new academic program, WOU students will study three years in Monmouth followed by a final year at OCCC where they will take their [more…]

Western Oregon University’s (WOU) Regional Resource Center on Deafness (RRCD) has received a $1 million grant from the federal Rehabilitation Service Administration to support its Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling (RMHC) Program. The grant begins immediately and runs through Sept. 30, 2024. RRCD will receive $200,000 annually for the grant, which supports RMHC students with [more…]

Western Oregon University (WOU) finalized today the purchase of the historical Vick building in downtown Salem at 525 Trade St. WOU’s Board of Trustees voted Wednesday to approve the purchase. The Vick building will be WOU’s Salem home for several programs, including the brand new Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership. “We’re thrilled to be [more…]

The Western Oregon University Board of Trustees on Wednesday approved a deficit budget for 2019-2020, which reflects a previously approved 2.33% increase in resident undergraduate tuition. The budget passed even as the Oregon Legislature has yet to release its Public University Support Fund. WOU was one of the first state universities to finalize its new [more…]

Western Oregon University was deeply saddened to learn of Oregon Sen. Jackie Winters’ death Wednesday after a courageous battle with cancer. Winters, a longtime WOU supporter, was known for her work to further higher education in Oregon. Not only did Sen. Winters represent District 10, the region where WOU is located, but she also gave [more…]

Western Oregon University and Linn-Benton Community College on May 10 will finalize a partnership that makes it easier for LBCC students to transfer to WOU, a four-year university, and earn a bachelor’s degree in the expected timeline. The Degree Partnership Program (DPP) between the two institutions marks a collaboration that ensures students who begin at [more…]

The Western Oregon University Board of Trustees approved an increase of 2.33%, or $4 per credit, for Oregon resident undergraduate students in the 2019-20 academic year at its quarterly meeting Wednesday. WOU is one of the first state public universities to finalize its new tuition rate in advance of the Oregon Legislature’s budget decision for [more…]

Western Oregon University welcomes Doug Morse of Columbia Sportswear to its Board of Trustees. Morse was confirmed by the Oregon Senate in late March. Currently serving as a senior vice president at Portland-based Columbia Sportswear, Morse brings nearly 25 years of business experience from the company to his position on the WOU board. He will [more…]

Dr. Rob Winningham began his position March 1 as provost and vice president for Academic Affairs at Western Oregon University. Winningham previously served in that post on an interim basis since July 1, 2018. Winningham started at Western Oregon University in 2000 as an assistant professor of psychology. In the ensuing years, he earned tenure [more…]

Western Oregon University will begin offering classes in Salem beginning January 2019 at the Willamette Education Service District building on Pringle Road. The number of WOU offerings in Salem will increase gradually, with a much larger range of classes available starting fall term 2019. WOU:Salem courses are designed to help working adults get the higher [more…]

Western Oregon University celebrated scores of donors Sept. 21 at its annual President’s Club Dinner on the university campus. More than 125 people attended the event, which highlights donors who generously supported WOU with significant financial gifts in 2017-2018. Dr. Richard Woodcock, who made the largest single gift of $1 million, attended the dinner, which [more…]

Western Oregon University’s Board of Trustees will welcome several new members in coming weeks as terms expired and the governor made new appointments. In July, the governance panel will welcome Trustee Zellee Allen, the co-CEO and founder of Partnerships in Community Living in Monmouth. Allen earned his bachelor’s degree at WOU in 1993 and won [more…]

The Western Oregon University Board of Trustees welcomes Lydia Muniz, a recent retiree from the Office of Equity and Multicultural Services (OEMS) within the Oregon Department of Human Services. The state Senate confirmed Muniz on Feb. 13, 2018 and she will attend her first board meeting this month. Muniz served as director of the OEMS [more…]

Western Oregon University’s Cannon Gallery of Art in Campbell Hall will present David George Andersen’s Wish You Were Here beginning Feb. 21. The exhibit opens to the public with a reception from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Feb. 21 and will be on display through March 23. Andersen (1960-2017) was a Salem artist known for creating politically [more…]

Western Oregon University’s Theatre Department will be presenting the classic musical The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas on March 1-4 and March 7-10. The musical, first performed on Broadway in 1978, is based on a book of the same name by Larry King and Peter Masterson. Much of the music and lyrics, created by Carol [more…]

We look forward to welcoming Oregon Sen. Jackie Winters to the stage June 16, 2018, as the Commencement speaker. The Republican senator represents District 10 in the state Legislature, an area that includes Monmouth and Independence as well as a large portion of Salem. She was first elected to the Senate in 2002 and had [more…]

Western Oregon University’s Student Veterans of America (SVA) chapter won the Chapter of the Year award Jan. 6, 2018, at the organization’s national conference in San Antonio. Student Veterans of America is a national organization based in Washington, D.C., that is committed to veteran welfare and ensuring that today’s and tomorrow’s veterans are supported in [more…]

The Western Oregon University Board of Trustees welcomes Gayle Evans, the chief human resources officer at Unitus Community Credit Union, to the governance group. The Oregon Senate confirmed Evans on Nov. 15, 2017. Evans has been with Unitus for 10 years and has served on multiple boards of directors in the past, including for Trillium [more…]