The boost in state funding for higher education recommended by Gov. Ted Kulongoski is welcome news for Oregon State University students, faculty and staff, though some departments still face other cutbacks.

Paul Doescher, OSU’s Interinstitutional Faculty Senate representative, recommended cautious optimism at Thursday’s Faculty Senate meeting.

There is an increase in directed funding, targeting specific areas such as faculty salaries and student-teacher ratios, but not a blanket increase, noted Doescher, professor of forest resources.

And while a welcome reversal of the state’s longtime disinvestment in higher education, one improved budget forecast can’t make up for years of dwindling general fund support, he said.

“Probably the budget we’ll eventually end up with won’t dig us out of the hole we’re in,” he said.

Still, the governor’s recommended budget recognizes the importance of a college education, according to Megan Driver, an OSU sophomore majoring in Spanish and political science. Driver is the Oregon Student Association board chairwoman. She’s also the Associated Students of OSU’s director of state affairs.

“The governor’s budget brings our state one step closer to offering all Oregonians the opportunity of a college degree,” Driver said. “This investment stands to bring only good returns to our state, as having an educated citizenry is more important than ever to Oregon’s economic and cultural future.”

Gov. Kulongoski’s budget also invests in the infrastructure of Oregon University System institutions.

OSU specifically will see about $127.3 million in bonds and other revenue sources for 12 construction projects. This includes $4 million for a planned Biofuels Lab and Learning Center; $5 million for a proposed wind farm project; $20 million for Gill Coliseum renovations; $15.5 million for deferred maintenance and seismic upgrades to Nash Hall; and $62.5 million to build a Pauling Research and Education Building to house the expanding Linus Pauling Institute, currently located in Weniger Hall.

In addition, OSU will be eligible for about $27 million from a system-wide pool of repair dollars.