Judging by Gov. Ted Kulongoski’s recommended budget for 2007-09, state support for higher education is on the upswing.

His financial blueprint will be considered by the Legislature once the session starts in January, and versions will be debated by Senate and House committees before the final budget is approved.

Helping tout the importance of a college education during these deliberations will be 12 Oregon State University alumni — a 71 percent increase over last session’s seven OSU graduates.

“Generally, legislators are pretty fair and balanced when it comes to dealing with things. Legislators don’t overtly play favorites for their alma maters, but it helps to have someone with a familiarity with higher education and an affinity for OSU,” said Jock Mills, OSU director of government relations.

The state is expected to have about $15.3 billion available in the next biennium, an increase of more than 20 percent from the $12.5 billion budgeted in 2005-07.

Gov. Kulongoski’s proposed budget for the next two years allots $4.9 billion to the Oregon University System, which governs the state’s seven public universities. General fund appropriations total $827.1 million, a 12 percent increase over the current biennium.

The budget also pegs $483 million for the state’s 17 community colleges, an increase in funding of 12.6 percent.

Among the 90 members of the state Legislature, Sens. Frank Morse, Roger Beyer, Larry George, Brad Avakian and Margaret Carter, and Reps. Ron Maurer, Chris Edwards, Sara Gelser, Fred Girod, Kevin Cameron, Brian Clem and Brian Boquist are all OSU alumni.

Girod earned a master’s degree in public administration from Harvard University and a doctorate of dental medicine from Oregon Health & Science University, but his allegiance is to OSU, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in general science in 1973.

Girod, who represents House District 17, which includes Lebanon and Sublimity, chose orange for the cubical walls outside his office at the capitol in homage to the Beavers.

Girod lists adequate funding for higher education among his top priorities.

“I think higher education has been short-funded. It basically comes down to priorities. I think it’s time to step up to the plate, and this is a good time to do it,” he said.

OSU was a “life-changing” experience for Girod, who also was a member of the House in the 1992-94 biennium, and ran unsuccessfully for Congress in 1994.

“You get out on your own. All of a sudden, you’re hit with all these ideas you’ve never experienced before. It’s mind-opening,” Girod said.

Avakian, who attended OSU from 1981 to 1984 and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology, also has fond memories of his college years — particularly his time on the wrestling team.

According to Avakian, District 17 (Beaverton) senator, “Most students don’t fully know the importance of the education and life experience they receive from college at the time they are there. I suppose I was one of those students. But the experience embeds itself in you and forever affects the way you perceive the world.

“To serve well in the Legislature, one needs to understand all facets of the human condition — health care, earning a living, education, the democratic process and the responsibility to participate in it. Both the education itself and the maturity gained from engaging in higher education are invaluable pieces of successfully navigating through the various issues that come to you at the Legislature.”

Both Girod and Clem, House District 21 (Salem) representative, participated in student government at OSU. They’re also both cheering on the Beavers at the Sun Bowl in El Paso, Texas, today.

Clem graduated from OSU in 1994 with a Bachelor of Science degree in political science. His “experience at and affinity for Oregon State will definitely come into play” during his work as a member of the House education committee and vice chairman of the subcommittee on higher education, he said.

Mills, who helps connect state senators and representatives with OSU students and alumni in their districts, and advocates for higher education funding, said his job is easier when working with legislators who are alumni, since it’s preaching to the choir.

“They remember when they were here. They’ll be thinking about that. They’ll be thinking

about what they paid. In terms of the benefit of the services we provide to the citizens of Oregon, it’s going to be much more obvious to them because they’ve been here on campus,” Mills said.

Mary Ann Albright covers higher education. She can be reached at maryann.albright@lee.net or 758-9518.