I am a passionate advocate for Senate Bill 742 — regarding tuition equity — because the bill is about fair tuition access for all Oregon students, and it will bolster the workforce in our state. As an in-state student and longtime Oregon resident, I see the benefit of increasing the number of college degrees in Oregon that will greatly benefit our state economy. Tuition equity will not hinder my access to education in any way, but actually greatly benefit my state and school.
As a gay student, I have faced a multitude of barriers in my access to higher education. However I cannot imagine the hardships you would face after living almost your entire life  in our beautiful state, only to be told that you could not attend college because you would have to pay exorbitant out-of-state tuition rates that most students can’t afford alone. All successful Oregon students, regardless of documentation status, must have fair access to an affordable education so we can give back to our state; we have lived in the same state, studied just as hard and received the same grades.
SB 742 will not affect my tuition. It will not change my peers’ ability to attend school at the University. And it certainly will not take financial aid from any students who qualify (Tuition equity does not grant undocumented students access to any form of state-provided financial aid). What it will do is forever change the lives of motivated, hardworking and passionate Oregon students who will receive their degrees and contribute to our workforce and economy.
I strongly support Senate Bill 742. Join me.
Kelsey Jarone
Oregon Student Equal Rights Alliance Co-Chair
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