Bipartisan Tuition Equity Bill Announced Today at Oregon State Capitol

(UPDATED 2/17/11) Salem, Ore--On Monday, CAUSA participated in a Press Conference with the Oregon Student Association (OSA) and several other individuals and organizations as Representative Michael Dembrow (D-Portland) and Senator Frank Morse (R-Albany) announced their co-sponsorship of the bipartisan Tuition Equity Bill, Senate Bill 742.

Senator Frank Morse (R-Albany) announcing bipartisan Tuition Equity Bill 

The bill will ensure that every Oregonian has fair access to quality and affordable higher education. It will also make it possible for ALL Oregon Students, regardless of their citizenship status, to be able to pay in-state tuition.  And besides capitalizing on the investment in Oregon's K-12 students, it would boost the education level of Oregon's workforce and bring in more tax dollars to the state's general fund.

To qualify for in-state tuition under the bill, a student must meet the following requirements, regardless of their documentation status:

• They have attended an Oregon high School for at least three (3) years
• They have graduated from an Oregon high school
• They have been admitted to an Oregon University System Instiution
• They are working towards residency

Organizations in support of the legislation include Oregon Students Association (OSA), Service Employees International Union (SEIU), Oregon Education Association (OEA), Center For Intercultural Organizing (CIO), CAUSA, Oregon's Immigrant Rights Coalition, American Federation of Teachers (AFT), Asian Paciic American Network of Oregon (APANO) and others. 

Co-sponsors of Senate Bill 742 include Oregon State Senators David Nelson (R-Pendleton), Frank Morse (R-Albany), Suzanne Bonamici (D-Portland/Beaverton), Jackie Dingfelder (D-Portland), Rod Monroe (D – Portland), Chris Edwards (D- Eugene, Santa Clara, and Junction City), Chuck Thomsen (R-Hood River) and Chip Shields (D-Portland), Oregon State Representatives Michael Dembrow (D-Portland), Mark Johnson (R-Hood River), Bob Jenson (R-Pendleton), Peter Buckley (D-Ashland), Sara Gelser (D-Corvallis), Betty Komp (D-Woodburn) and Chris Harker (D-Beaverton) and others.

Portland State University President Wim Wiewel and Mount Hood Community College President John Sygielski are also supporting the bill.

Related News:
KATU News Channel 2: http://www.blip.tv/file/4766862
Oregon Public Broadcasting: Lawmakers Again Consider In-State Tuition For Undocumented Immigrants
Corvallis Gazette Times New bill to provide in-state tuition for undocumented students
The Oregonian: Oregon students, legislators announce bill to allow undocumented youth to pay in-state tuition at Oregon colleges
Statesman Journal Oregon bill would allow some non-resident students to pay in-state tuition rates
KOIN News Channel 6:  http://causa.blip.tv/file/4774184/

Related Links:
Senate Bill 742:  http://www.leg.state.or.us/11reg/measpdf/sb0700.dir/sb0742.intro.pdf

Posted in: Oregon,Oregon State Capitol,Tuition Equity