History

OSA’s story begins with students passing a bill in Oregon to take control of the student incidental fee. This led to Oregon’s higher education student governments to create student incidental fees and their processes. This gave students the ability to fund activities, events, and any service that they believe would enhance their educational experiences.

The Van

Soon enough student leaders at the University of Oregon learned about the concept of Statewide Student Association’s. Together with leaders from Southern Oregon University and Oregon State University they loaded into a van and hit the road. Together they pitched to other student leaders the idea of pooling funds from their incidental fees to create an organization that would focus on working with the Oregon legislature in protecting and enhancing Oregon’s higher education system.

OSA

In 1975 the Oregon Student Association (OSA) was established with the mission of standing as a statewide student led, student-run advocacy and organizing non-profit for all students in Oregon’s higher education. Within 1 year all public universities joined as dues paying members. This allowed the founding students to create the Board of Directors (BOD) and hire a professional staff to train students for legislative engagement and advocate on behalf of students in Oregon legislature.

Community & Representation

OSA quickly became a source of community building for students statewide leading to lifelong friendships. In a move to increase representation within the organization the Oregon Students of Color Coalition (OSCC) was created in 1997, and the Oregon Students Equal Rights Alliance (OSERA) in 2001. Both of these spaces hold annual conferences in a bid to create stronger ties within each community statewide.

Student-Led, Student-Run

Overtime the Board of Directors changed it’s name to the Board of Governors (BOG). To increase the power of underrepresented and marginalized students within OSA the BOG, OSCC, and OSERA form the General Assembly. This ensures that OSCC & OSERA community members have a say in OSA’s functions and agenda.