UO faculty, staff, and students are invited to participate in a public hearing on student success conducted by the Oregon Legislature.

On Monday, April 25, the Oregon Legislature’s Joint Task Force on Student Success for Underrepresented Students in Higher Education, also called the “Student Voice Task Force,” will hold a public hearing from 5:30-7 p.m. at the Redwood Auditorium at the EMU. Testimony can be provided in person, in writing, or by video. Representatives from Lane Community College are also encouraged to participate.

Students, alumni, faculty, and staff who have questions or would like help writing their testimony are welcome to join a UO Advocates pizza party from 4-6 p.m. that day at the Bartolotti’s Pizza Bistro, located on the first floor of the EMU. Government Relations staff will be on hand to answer questions and assist with drafting.  Additional help is available on the UO Advocates website.

The task force is traveling around the state to visit public university and community college campuses to meet with students from underrepresented backgrounds in order to understand the barriers those students face in their academic careers. The task force, which consists of a bipartisan group of five senators and four representatives, plans to use this feedback to develop policy and investment proposals to better support students and public higher education in the 2023 legislative session.