US Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici
US Senator Ron Wyden
US Congresswoman Andrea Salinas
  • Maintain robust funding and support sustainable increases for federal research agencies and directorates.
  • Invest in students directly by generously funding programs such as Pell Grants, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants and Federal Work-Study, which make higher education a more viable possibility for financially disadvantaged students.
  • Reestablish and maintain a welcoming environment for students from around the world, with sensible safeguards, by comprehensively reforming and creating a sensible immigration system. Only a comprehensive fix will address the shortfalls that exist in programs of importance to universities and the nation alike, such as student and scholar visas and DACA eligibility for students and employees. 
  • Continue to invest in undergraduate and graduate research and support programs that engage all students, especially those from traditionally underrepresented populations, in meaningful basic and applied research opportunities.
  • Support increased access and talent development through robust funding for TRIO and Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP), as well as programs funded by the NSF and NIH designed to increase pathways for students who have historically been underrepresented in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) degree programs.       
     
Rep. Ruiz and Sen. Dembrow with Caroline Doty and in the Rapid Prototype Lab
  • Investment in public university operating budgets: Oregon ranks near the bottom when it comes to per-student funding of public universities. As a result, the burden of paying for a college education has shifted from the state to students and their families. Oregon Tech and its advocates will fight year after year to protect and increase funding so that higher education remains accessible and affordable. 
  • Investment in financial aid: Oregon Tech supports increased investment in need-based financial aid programs like the Oregon Opportunity Grant, which makes college a reality for more low-income, underrepresented, first-generation students.
  • Investment in capital construction: One of the ways the State partners with Oregon Tech is to provide bonding for the construction and renovation of buildings. In order to provide an excellent academic experience for students, Oregon Tech must have safe, accessible, and high-quality learning environments for students to learn, faculty to teach, and the community to gather.
  • Implementation of policies that benefit students and the university: Oregon Tech works continually to ensure that the legislation and policies adopted by the state help students be successful and ensure public universities can be nimble, accessible, and excellent.