As a member of the ASUO State Affairs team, I regularly discuss issues of access and affordability to college with students. I hear declarations of students struggling to attain their educational goals. Some of the stories that I have encountered are disheartening. I have heard stories of family health emergencies that have forced students to leave the University due to lack of financial resources. I’ve come across testimonies of students paying out of pocket for their education, taking twice as long as students at the average graduation rate.
This past week, a friend told me a story about her roommate and her lack of support from the Oregon Student Assistance Commission. She and her sister were both qualified for the Oregon Opportunity Grant, however, due to drastic budget cuts and lack of prioritization of post-secondary education in the state budget, neither received the grants they deserved. The two sisters were forced to withdraw from school and return home.
I hope this story will be one of many that sway decision-makers in Salem to reinvest in post-secondary education. This Friday, Feb. 12, the ASUO is taking 35 students to the capitol to meet with Oregon’s elected officials. Those students will have the opportunity to tell their elected officials that they must prioritize education. If you have a story that you want to tell, I highly recommend that you share your story. Come to the ASUO and share, come with us to Salem — there are still spaces available. We are Oregon’s future.
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