![\"Jefferson](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/N667LF4B3RFOJJOKRG5CO56X2I.png\")
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Jefferson Public Radio’s studios on the Southern Oregon University campus. Shown on April 29, 2026.<\/p>\n
Jane Vaughan \/ JPR<\/p>\n
Southern Oregon University\u2019s financial crisis will require a complete overhaul<\/a> of academic programs and other major changes to stay afloat, according to a preliminary report<\/a> from Deloitte Consulting released on Tuesday.<\/p>\n SOU holds all licenses for the Federal Communications Commission for Jefferson Public Radio, and JPR\u2019s studios are located in a building on campus.<\/p>\n As part of the university\u2019s cost-savings measures, Deloitte suggested finding a new home for JPR, or \u201cspinning it off,\u201d but didn\u2019t explain what that might mean.<\/p>\n Deloitte\u2019s plan says spinning off JPR would save SOU $300,000 a year, which includes the salaries and benefits for two employees: Executive Director Paul Westhelle and Director of Engineering Darin Ransom.<\/p>\n SOU President Rick Bailey said the vast majority of JPR\u2019s funding comes from the JPR Foundation.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s not a huge weight on the university because the JPR Foundation has been so successful and supportive,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Related: Consultant says SOU must act fast, has \u2018no margin for error\u2019<\/a><\/p>\n Westhelle said the organization will work with the university and ensure programming continues.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re going to adapt,\u201d he said. \u201cWe have to adapt with the university. It just depends on how the university adapts. So some of this is going to be contingent upon what the university does and how we could possibly fit into it.\u201d<\/p>\n He said it\u2019s possible that more JPR employees could shift to being employed by the foundation rather than the university. Most JPR staff are currently employed by the university rather than the foundation.<\/p>\n Another option could be transitioning to a community licensee, where the licenses for JPR\u2019s network of stations would be held by a nonprofit.<\/p>\n According to Westhelle, JPR\u2019s annual budget is about $3.4 million, so a $300,000 loss is almost 9%.<\/p>\n The organization pays for its employees\u2019 health insurance and salaries, as well as IT support. JPR paid to build its studios and offices on the university campus. The university pays for the building\u2019s utilities.<\/p>\n