Spring Break
Students ask for stepped up support
Around 500 students, 52 from OSU, descend on the Capitol to lobby for higher education
Lauren Dillard
Issue date: 2/23/07 Section: News
"Using state Legislature, combine all ingredients in Oregon's university and college systems. Serve at once," instructs the recipe card provided by OSA.
Thursday, OSA aimed for the students on the Capitol steps to be heard by the legislators and their staff members working inside.
Gov. Ted Kulongoski, who spoke during the rally, encouraged students to talk to their legislators. OSA encouraged asking them for what students need, and providing the recipe for them to do it.
"We are making an investment in our future and you are that future," Kulongoski said, regarding changes that have already been discussed since the legislative session opened in January.
"Too many of our young people are not driven to achieve a college degree," said Rep. Gene Whisnant (R-Sunriver).
Rep. Larry Galizio (R-Tigard), a former Portland Community College professor and chair of the ways and means subcommittee on higher education, gave the crowd a pop quiz.
"... and the stipulation is that it needs to be loud enough that my colleagues in the building can hear you," Galizio said.
The crowd easily passed Galizio's test. The bottom line was that students need more support, and higher education needs more money.
Chemeketa Community College President and Oregon State Board of Higher Education member Gretchen Shuette said OSA had almost made the task too easy for legislators - the recipe cards lay out the solution.
"Thank you for bringing your voices to the state Capitol where they belong," she said. "I am so thrilled to be a university and community college cheerleader."
One goal for the Legislature that Shuette has laid out is that no Oregonian should be denied access to post-secondary education because of their income.
Executive Director of OSA Melissa Unger estimated that 500 students attended the rally. Forty-two OSU students rode with ASOSU and at least 10 OSU students stayed to lobby legislators in individual meetings.
"It's time to reinvest to make Oregon stronger," Driver said.
Thursday, OSA aimed for the students on the Capitol steps to be heard by the legislators and their staff members working inside.
Gov. Ted Kulongoski, who spoke during the rally, encouraged students to talk to their legislators. OSA encouraged asking them for what students need, and providing the recipe for them to do it.
"We are making an investment in our future and you are that future," Kulongoski said, regarding changes that have already been discussed since the legislative session opened in January.
"Too many of our young people are not driven to achieve a college degree," said Rep. Gene Whisnant (R-Sunriver).
Rep. Larry Galizio (R-Tigard), a former Portland Community College professor and chair of the ways and means subcommittee on higher education, gave the crowd a pop quiz.
"... and the stipulation is that it needs to be loud enough that my colleagues in the building can hear you," Galizio said.
The crowd easily passed Galizio's test. The bottom line was that students need more support, and higher education needs more money.
Chemeketa Community College President and Oregon State Board of Higher Education member Gretchen Shuette said OSA had almost made the task too easy for legislators - the recipe cards lay out the solution.
"Thank you for bringing your voices to the state Capitol where they belong," she said. "I am so thrilled to be a university and community college cheerleader."
One goal for the Legislature that Shuette has laid out is that no Oregonian should be denied access to post-secondary education because of their income.
Executive Director of OSA Melissa Unger estimated that 500 students attended the rally. Forty-two OSU students rode with ASOSU and at least 10 OSU students stayed to lobby legislators in individual meetings.
"It's time to reinvest to make Oregon stronger," Driver said.
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