EOU Students Take Advocacy to Salem

EOU Students Take Advocacy to Salem

LA GRANDE, Ore. – Eastern Oregon University will take nearly thirty students, faculty, staff, and Trustees to the Oregon State Capitol in Salem to participate in 2026 University Day, joining the state’s seven public universities for a day of advocacy in support of higher education.

Students participating in University Day represent both EOU’s La Grande campus and its online student population from communities across Oregon, reflecting the university’s statewide footprint and commitment to access for rural and place-bound learners.

University Day provides EOU students with a hands-on opportunity to engage directly in the legislative process, meet with elected officials, connect with higher education advocates, and network with fellow students from across Oregon. Participants will attend meetings, learn about current policy issues affecting public universities, and experience firsthand how advocacy shapes higher education at the state level.

“This is a meaningful extension of EOU’s commitment to civic engagement,” said Tim Seydel, Vice President for University Advancement. “By bringing students from across Oregon into the Capitol and giving them direct access to lawmakers, we are helping them understand how public policy impacts higher education and empowering them to be informed, engaged citizens. These experiences reinforce EOU’s role as a steward of leadership and advocacy for rural Oregon and the state as a whole.”

Presidents from all seven public universities will also be present at the Capitol, spending the day alongside students to advocate collectively for Oregon’s higher education institutions and the importance of continued state investment in access, affordability, and student success.

As part of the day’s activities, EOU students will meet with Representative Bobby Levy and Senator Todd Nash in a regional-focused meeting to connect directly with eastern Oregon legislators, ask questions about current legislation, learn about the career paths that led them into public service, and discuss issues impacting rural communities and higher education.

“For EOU, being visible and present alongside our peer institutions matters,” said Diego Vergara Zuber, President of the Associated Students of Eastern Oregon University. “University Day shows that EOU students—whether they are studying on campus or online all over the state—are part of the statewide higher education conversation. It’s an opportunity to share our perspectives, advocate for our communities, and ensure rural student voices are heard at the Capitol.”