AAUP-Oregon goes to Salem
AAUP-Oregon introduced itself to key legislators in Salem on March 18th. Although José has testified before both the House and Senate Higher Education committees, we had not yet officially started building relationships with legislators. Patricia Schechter, legislative chair for the Portland State AAUP Chapter took the lead, setting up meetings with House Committee on Higher Education, Innovation and Workforce Development Chair Tobias Read and with Senate Education Committee Chair Arnie Roblan. We also met with Representative Jennifer Williamson’s staff. In the meetings, AAUP-Oregon President José Padin outlined our positions on key bills and explained our organization’s vision and new legislative engagement as a state-wide entity. Legislative Committee member Erna Gelles, and Margaret Butler, AAUP-Oregon Executive Director also participated. We emphasized our desire to support higher education as a right in Oregon and provide information and perspective based on AAUP members’ deep experience.
