State-Wide Land Stewardship

STATE-WIDE LAND STEWARDSHIP

Real Property is tasked with overall stewardship and comprehensive oversight of the university's state-wide real property resources. This mission includes tracking, managing and implementing strategies relating to the sale, acquisition, encumbrance and leasing of university real property, in a stakeholder-inclusive manner, aligning with the needs and objectives of the university as a whole.

    

Data Tracking & Reporting

Data tracking and reporting for real property requires systematically collecting, monitoring, and analyzation of data related to the usage, occupancy, financial performance, and maintenance of OSU’s real property assets.

Real Property partners with departments and stakeholders across OSU’s campuses to provide information needed to inform decision-making, optimize space utilization, and align property performance with strategic goals. Effective data tracking and reporting supports a university that fuels a thriving world, valuing transparency, risk management, and strategic planning of OSU’s real property operations. 

    

Encumbrance Mapping & Tracking

Mapping and tracking encumbrances involves identifying and documenting any legal restrictions, claims, or liabilities on a property that may affect its use, value, or transfer. This process includes creating detailed maps or records to visualize the location and nature of encumbrances such as easements, liens, covenants, or rights-of-way.

Real Property's careful tracking ensures ongoing monitoring of changes to these encumbrances over time, allowing stakeholders to maintain an accurate understanding of the property’s status and comply with legal or contractual obligations. 

  

Property Tax Exemptions

Properties owned and used by the university for educational, research, or public purposes are generally exempt from property taxes under Oregon law.

Our department can assist with applying for and tracking these exemptions, which requires compliance with state regulations, maintaining accurate documentation of property use, and submitting necessary filings to local tax authorities. This helps the university allocate resources more effectively toward its mission. 

    

Landholdings Information

Real Property maintains current and historical landholdings information for Oregon State University. Since its establishment as Oregon’s land grant university in 1868, OSU has grown through strategic acquisitions and now owns more than 26,000 acres of land statewide.

Our real property portfolio embodies OSU's motto "Out There," with a presence in each of the 36 counties in Oregon including:

  • 3 campuses  (Corvallis, Bend, Newport)
  • 5 Research and Extension Centers
  • 8 Forest Research Lab Sites
  • 9 Oregon Agricultural Experiment Station Sites.

Our work aides in the university's focus to remove barriers and create educational opportunities across the state.

When property is acquired or disposed of by the university, our office updates a comprehensive GIS database that tracks current and historical ownership, encumbrances, and other real property transactions.