As you note, any rational person would have designed a system that made 'sense' and yet we have three universities and numerous smaller campuses in the valley, plus important regional campuses in Central, Eastern and Southern Oregon. But the worst thing is that we are making this system worse both through our funding and legislation. Most states have central admin...typically a state college and university system although everyone is now a university, so these terms are meaningless. These systems help target funding to need, support less 'profitable' campuses that can serve a rural and regional diversity...not in Oregon. While we had a weak system of higher education, at least we had the potential to address Oregon's need...now we have the HEEC which is toothless by design. So each major campus competes for students, and this draws funding. Small campuses get screwed by the marketing power of the Ducks and Beavers. That's competition misplaced, again, by a few, to meet their needs.