Oregon Student Association

Reports

Where Are We At and Where Are We Going? A Survey of Students and Campuses in Oregon

As Oregon has continued to disinvest in Oregon’s colleges and universities, students have taken on substantial tuition increases and are facing increasing budget cuts on campus. This report is the first to examine the impacts of six years of decreasing state support for postsecondary education on Oregon students and their colleges and universities.

Findings from 30 staff interviews at campuses across the state and over 4,000 student surveys reveal concerning trends for Oregon students and campuses, as well as successes institutions have had despite decreased funding.

“Oregon college students and their campuses are teetering on the edge,” said report author and OSA Executive Director Melissa Unger. “A significant group of students are barely able to pay tuition and receive the services they need to graduate. And campuses have no more edges to trim.”

Measuring Up Report

This biennial report, or the “national report card on higher education,” provides the nation and each state with information to assess and improve postsecondary education. The 2006 report was released in September. Once again, Oregon received an “F” in Affordability. We also had one of the sharpest declines in the nation for chance of attending college by age 19, underscoring the need for a high school mentoring program like ASPIRE.

Paying Back, Not Giving Back: Student Debt’s Negative Impact on Public Service Career Opportunities