Written by: Hannah Field | Editor-in-Chief

The Oregon Student Association, known as OSA, announced Oct. 9 that the organization would be formally closing its doors and suspending all action. The organization acted as a student-led nonprofit advocacy group, well-known across the state for its role in making positive changes in colleges across the state of Oregon. OSA’s website described the organization as a place to “bring students together to build collective power, develop their professional political skills and achieve concrete wings for students on the issues they care about. Through legislative advocacy and grassroots organizing, OSA is working towards a future where a quality, equitable, debt-free higher education is affordable and accessible for ALL Oregonians.”

OSA brought student access to incidental fees to fruition when students passed a bill in Oregon to grant students funding and control over their college experiences. In turn, student governments were then able to collaborate directly with their universities and represent student voices. 

Student leaders from the University of Oregon joined leaders from Oregon State University and Southern Oregon University to further explore Statewide Student Associations. They then “loaded into a van and hit the road” according to OSA’s historical page, spreading ideas about gathering funding for an organization to be founded, tied in directly with the legislature protecting higher education in the state of Oregon.

In 1975, it was given a name — the Oregon Student Association — and within one year, all public universities joined OSA. A board of governors was established and more members were instated to train students in legislative engagement and advocate on behalf of students.

This last year alone, OSA secured the Semiconductor Talent Fund and TRUs+ Behavioral Health Package and also passed SB 1502: School Board Transparency Bill, SB 1596: Right to Repair, SB 1552: Senate Education Omnibus and other higher education investments. TRUs+ Behavioral Health Package will fund multiple other universities alongside Western to create a higher capacity for licensed behavioral health workers, while the school board transparency bill will require posted live streams for governing body meetings of school districts, education service districts, community college districts and public universities.

In past years, OSA has passed bills protecting and supporting university students who experienced sexual violence, increased statewide access to job training, increased education access for incarcerated students, provided free menstrual products on campuses, allocated $19 million to fund members of Oregon Native tribes in higher education and many more.

The announcement Wednesday, Oct. 9, was posted to OSA’s website as well as social media. “It is with a heavy heart that we announce the closure of the Oregon Student Association after almost 50 years of student-led advocacy across the state. Since 1975, OSA has empowered future leaders and unified students across Oregon to build collective power to advocate for policies that create a more equitable and accessible higher education system,” it stated. “OSA has worked tirelessly for decades to ensure that the voices and rights of students were heard and respected at every level of decision-making.”

It followed after years of reports that OSA struggled financially and structurally, with tax documents from 2023 claiming a negative net worth of more than $400,000. Nick Keough, OSA’s legislative director, explained that over time, OSA received less and less per year from universities tied with the organization. Each university and college had previously decided what money to allocate toward OSA annually, but as costs rose in the country, money became essential elsewhere.

“This was an unbelievably difficult decision,” said Keough. “This decision is ultimately about recognizing recent constraints we faced and being realistic about the organization’s sustainability.”

Last summer, central leader and Executive Director Joseph Cruz and staff member José Zapata were unfortunately involved in a dangerous car accident that left Cruz critically injured with a long road to recovery and took the life of Zapata.

“The tragic loss of a staff member and the injury of our executive director have just made it incredibly cumbersome to continue operating,” said Keough.

OSA thanked their staff, coalition partners and student leaders in their announcement, expressing that it had been an honor to serve Oregon’s students. “We leave behind not just a legacy, but a call to action. To every student, organizer and advocate; your voice matters, and your work is needed… The fight for a better future for all students is far from over,” OSA stated on their Instagram.

The majority of the responses were devastated, with many commenters personally tied to OSA and remembering their long history of advocacy.

“It will be a different world without OSA’s presence, but I know the contributions it made have inspired us all,” wrote commenter Finn Jacobson from the University of Oregon. “Thank you all for your service.”

“OSA had such an impact and gave folks a truly amazing opportunity to grow and make change. Best wishes,” said Eliott Coda.

Another commenter, Courtney Veronnaeu, described her time with OSA. “OSA is where I learned the power of and how to organize the community to advance racial, gender and economic justice. So grateful for my time on staff and for the many lasting and meaningful friendships that began there.”

Alexandra Flores-Quilty, from Oregon, said: “Heartbreaking to hear. I appreciate the OSA leaders who have been supporting the (organization) during these last few difficult years.”

Portland-based supporter, Elona Wilson, expressed their admiration. “I am constantly inspired by the work (you all) have done, the people you have scaffolded and your deep commitment to Oregon’s students. 50 years of badass change is something all OSA alumni and current students should be incredibly proud of. You will be missed, but know that your legacy will continue to inspire movements far past this moment. Thank you.”

Contact the author at howleditorinchief@mail.wou.edu.