For more information on the Oregon University System’s opposition to further budget cuts in higher education, click here.
SALEM — The Oregon Student Association@@http://www.orstudents.org/@@ met with representatives in Salem today to discuss their budget concerns facing students at colleges across the state. More than 100 student representatives were present at the capital to lobby for more state funding.
In the last five years, tuition rose over 15 percent at community colleges and all Oregon University System institutions, according to OSA statistics. They said the University has had the highest increase, with a 31 percent increase in tuition for in-state students over the past four years.
The OSA focused on the Oregon Opportunity Grant, which helps many students finance college. Last year, 319,600 students qualified but only 80,000 received the grant.@@http://tinyurl.com/7plyszo@@
“I am one of the many students who qualify for the Oregon opportunity grant but was not awarded it,” OSA member Jaki Salgado said. “The only way I got through my spring term was to drop out of one of my classes and move in with one of my friends.”
In 2011, the Oregon legislature decided to hold back 3.5 percent from the OUS system, costing the system millions of dollars. This 3.5 percent cut also cost the community college system $14.5 million.@@http://lbcommuter.com/2012/02/14/lbcc-students-join-in-capitol-town-hall-about-tuition/@@
The OSA is asking for the co-chairs of the Ways and Means committee, State Sen. Richard Devlin (D-Tualatin), Rep. Dennis Richardson (R-Central Point) and Rep. Peter Buckley (D-Ashland) to follow through on a budget recommendation that would give back the 3.5 percent.
“There has been a disinvestment from the state in the terms of financial aid,” ASUO Vice President Katie Taylor said.
The OSA members lobbied for the Oregon Opportunity Grant, which helps many students finance college. They met with Rep. Jean Cowan (D-Newport), representing District 10. She was generally supportive of their lobbying points but would not commit to a definitive answer.
“We’re all waiting to see where the budget comes out, but I’m sure I will support whatever will come out,” Cowan said. “I will look the issues up and see where they are in the system.”