Over the last week, students at Portland State University and the University of Oregon have joined in nationwide Pro-Palestine student protests calling for higher education institutions across the country to divest and end all relationships with entities with ties to Israel and the ongoing genocide in Gaza. Largely, student protests have taken the form of non-violent demonstration – with students at the University of Oregon establishing a 100+ tent encampment on campus and students at Portland State University occupying Millar Library. Click below to read our full statement on the ongoing student demonstrations.
“HB 4162 was initiated by OSA, in partnership with Partners for a Hunger-Free Oregon, Swipe Out Hunger and Open Oregon Educational Resources Program. Partners for a Hunger-Free Oregon Communications Lead, Jacki Ward Kehrwald, said that the support of basic needs ‘felt short sighted’ as legislators overlooked the importance of basic needs. ‘It's the right thing to do, ethically, to support students in crisis. It's also a strategic investment in the future of Oregon, to invest in students facing crises and support them when they're pursuing their degree,; Ward Kehrwald said.”
By Ysabella Sosa - Daily Emerald
Let’s take a moment to appreciate some of the student wins from the 2024 Legislative Session!
While we didn’t win everything in the end, including the Student Emergency Needs Package, student voices and OSA were critical to securing other policy wins and investments in post-secondary education during the session