Policy Advocacy
OSA works on legislation to address to most pressing student issues today. Out policy advocacy centers student voices by selecting legislative priorities through a student-run, two-year, democratic issue-choosing process. As a result, OSA tends to works on issues surrounding college affordability, education justice, student basic needs access, student safety, institutional accountability, and beyond.
To carry out our work, OSA maintains strong relationships and partnerships with members of The Oregon State Legislature, The Higher Education Coordinating Commission, the Office of the Governor, and other state agencies. OSA works collaboratively with our organizational coalition partners, faculty and staff union representatives, institutional lobbyists, college and university administrations, and other advocates. We engage students in lobbying, testifying, legislative training, legislative strategy, and policy development efforts to advance student priorities and build students’ professional political experience.
Our Tactics
Lobbying
Lobbying is a key way for students to build power for their issues. Lobbying is an important moment where students are able to education a decision-maker about the issues and how they impact our campus communities. Students’ lived experiences and stories are important – they are a kind of expertise on these issues that can’t be matched by fact sheets and numbers alone.
Testifying
Testifying on a bill can be highly effective at showing support or opposition for an issue. OSA often recruits students to testify at public hearings in the Capitol, Ways & Means (budget) roadshows, state agency public meetings, and beyond. We help students prepare and effectively structure their testimony. For a story to move someone to action, we want it to be powerful, engaging, and resonate.
Legislative Training
OSA provides legislative trainings to students in an effort to advance their legislative advocacy skillsets and knowledge. Legislative trainings focus on understanding Oregon’s legislative process and building skills around policy research, policy development, coalition building, campaign development, event coordination, and beyond. Interested in bring a training to your campus? Contact the OSA Legislative Director.
