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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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Internet Digest

April 25, 2007

Legislature Steps Up for Affordability: Shared Responsibility Model passes Senate unanimously

Oregon college students were uplifted on April 11th by the passage in the Senate of the Shared Responsibility Model (SB 334), a new model for need-based aid, by a unanimous vote.  It was the first floor vote to take place this legislative session on one of Oregon college students’ priority issues. 

“This is a historic step towards victory for Oregon college students,” said OSA Board member and UO Student Body President Jared Axelrod.  “Just three years ago, we were only serving some of the very neediest of students with a small, arbitrary grant.  Now we are seeing commitment from our legislature to this model, which for the first time offers grant aid according to what a student can actually afford to pay.  For our state, this means more students will have access to college—and more college grads means a stronger Oregon.”

Under the model, the student makes the initial investment in their education through reasonable work hours and borrowing, with families also contributing what they are able.  If students and families fulfill the requirements that the state expects of them, the state will then step in—where the federal government doesn’t—to fill the affordability gap. 

But students warned that the Shared Responsibility Model is one piece of a larger package to expand access, affordability, and quality for Oregon college students.  Without funding for universities and colleges, students worry that the Shared Responsibility Model could offer an empty promise.

“It’s like opening a window with a wall behind it,” said OSA Board Vice Chair and Portland State University Student Body President Courtney Morse.  “If our schools don’t have the funds to provide us with the services, programs, and courses students need, we will still face barriers to graduation.”

On March 27th, the Oregon Student Association released a report that found that for 43 percent of university seniors and 40 percent of juniors, an inability to enroll in classes extended their stay in college.  16 percent of all college and university students reported that a lack of advising extended their stay*, a service which is especially important to low-income, first-generation students who face additional barriers in earning their degree.  Students worry that if campuses do not have the funds to help students graduate on time, the model will not be as effective as it applies to the first four years of college. 

Students are also concerned that if tuition increases more than the increase in the Median Family Income (3.4 percent), the model would not be fully-funded, and would thus be unable to truly close the affordability gap. 

The Oregon Student Association is also advocating for a $2.6 million investment in the ASPIRE (Access to Student assistance Programs In Reach of Everyone) program, a volunteer mentoring program that provides high school students with the tools to access a postsecondary education.  This program was allocated zero state funds in the Ways and Means Co-chair’s budget (see Page 2 of this Internet Digest). 

“Without a program like ASPIRE, many students won’t make it far enough in their education to take advantage of the Shared Responsibility Model,” said Morse.  “In order for this model to be most successful, it must be paired with a program that helps students develop their aspirations to college.”

Lane Community College student Darla Hicks expressed cautious optimism about today’s vote.  “I am very grateful to the Senate for passing this model which would allow my son to work his way through college in order to provide a better life for his family as I am struggling to do now for mine.” A recipient of the Oregon Opportunity Grant, Oregon’s current need-based aid program, Hicks still works two jobs in addition to being a full-time student and has accrued $15,000 in student loan debt after just two years at Lane. 

Continued Hicks, “But even if my son can afford his education, will he be successful at an institution where he can’t access his professors or enroll in the classes he needs and the buildings are falling down around him?  I urge the legislature to make the most of this exciting new model by investing in our colleges and universities.  Investing in our schools is investing in students.”

The bill will now continue to the House Education Committee. 

*Unger, Melissa. Where are We At and Where are We Going? A Survey of Students and Campuses in Oregon. Oregon Student Association. Portland, Oregon, 2007. . 

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