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Oregon Student Association

Founded in 1975, OSA is a coalition of student governments dedicated to the representation, service, and protection of the collective interests of over 100,000 students in postsecondary education.

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About OSA

Click here for the OSA brochure. 

The Oregon Student Association (OSA), a statewide advocacy and organizing non-profit, was established in 1975 to represent, serve, and protect the collective interests of students in postsecondary education in Oregon. 

OSA has focused on issues such as tuition, financial aid, recruitment and retention of students underrepresented on campus, and student rights.  A cornerstone of the organization’s work includes educating students, other members of campuses, and the greater community on issues relevant to postsecondary education, developing and training student leaders, and organizing students around student issues.  OSA also provides a collective voice for students in state government, the Oregon University System, and other state boards and commissions.

OSA serves students through:

Advocacy
OSA lobbies the Oregon Legislature on issues researched and prioritized by the OSA, OSCC, and OSERA Boards and builds relationships with other Oregon officials and agencies.  We work with the Oregon University System board and staff to ensure that students’ voices are heard at the statewide university level and advocate for students within the LCC Board of Education.  OSA also works with Oregon’s Congresspersons to represent the Boards’ positions at the federal level. 

Organizing
OSA’s legislative strategy relies upon direct organizing with students on campuses throughout the state.  OSA visits campuses to assist student governments in creating and crafting local campaigns and to provide grassroots organizing training to the larger student body.  In accordance with strategies and tactics selected by its Student Board, OSA also creates statewide student campaigns that target decision-makers both inside and outside campus districts. 

Direct services
OSA supplies students with materials, field packets, formal publications, and relevant training to effectively campaign on priority issues and student vote.  We also provide research on both statewide and campus-by-campus issues.  OSA responds to a wide range of student requests by regularly visiting campuses to assist students with campaigns and events.

Training & Leadership Development
OSA hosts several region-wide conferences for students at low-cost prices.  Throughout the year, we give on-campus grassroots organizing and issue trainings for student governments, student groups, and intern classes.  We also work on an individual basis with involved students to develop their skills.  In addition, students can participate in our summer internship program.

OSA Student Board

OSA is led by students for students. The eighteen-member Board of Directors consists of two students from each member campus, the student body president and the president’s designee.  Current member campuses are:

Eastern Oregon University
Lane Community College
Oregon Health & Science University
Oregon Institute of Technology
Oregon State University
Portland State University
Southern Oregon University
University of Oregon
Western Oregon University

The Board identifies issues, directs research and advocacy efforts, and employs a full-time staff.  Specifically, the Board is responsible for setting OSA policy, employing the OSA Executive Director, and carrying out the directives and activities of the board.

Affiliate Student Boards
Oregon Students of Color Coalition (OSCC) joined OSA in 1997.  Over the last decade, Oregon and other states have continued to grapple with attacks against programs benefiting students of color.  In 1997, when administrators in Oregon proposed the elimination of the Underrepresented Minority Achievement Scholarship Program (UMASP), students from across the state came together to fight for students of color as a unified voice.

While the elimination of the UMASP was a single incident, continual attacks throughout the region on policies benefiting students of color, such as affirmative action, underscored the lack of a strong dialogue and focused action on issues affecting students of color in Oregon’s post-secondary educational system.  As a result, at the 1997 Northwest Student Leadership Conference, students formed the Oregon Students of Color Coalition.

In 2001, OSA was joined by the Oregon Student Equal Rights Alliance (OSERA). Mobilizing students at the grassroots level, OSERA is striving to achieve equal access to education for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer people within Oregon’s educational communities. Through advocacy, the strengthening of community relationships, and the development of leaders, OSERA is working to lead Oregon’s universities and community colleges toward safe, diverse, and enriching environments for all students.