I represent 23,000 students at Oregon State University, a school ranked 42nd in the nation for higher education funding. A campus in Corvallis, the most rent-burdened town in Oregon. These two facts—on their surface—might not seem tied to our mental and physical well-being. But I urge you to take a closer look.
As a college student today, I live a completely different life from a college student 20, 30, 40, 50, and even 60 years ago, including the parents, administrators, and legislators who are making decisions about an experience they have no contextual grasp on. The “broke college student” trope—living off raman —is neither normal nor acceptable.
Food insecurity, unaffordable housing, and crushing financial burdens are not rites of passage. They are barriers that jeopardize both academic success and overall wellbeing for individuals, higher education institutions, and the economic stability of a state.
Chronic stress from financial insecurity has direct and documented effects on mental and physical health. Skipping meals, juggling multiple jobs, and sacrificing medical care to pay tuition and housing are common realities for my peers and friends, not anomalies. These stressors contribute to heightened rates of anxiety, depression, and burnout.
Increased funding for higher education is more than an investment in academics—it’s an investment in public health and the success of a state. When universities receive adequate state funding, students gain access to crucial resources: affordable housing, meal programs, health services, and mental health support. These programs aren’t luxuries; they are lifelines.
Oregon’s current funding levels force institutions to pass costs onto students through higher tuition and fees, exacerbating financial insecurity and further straining students’ wellbeing. The ripple effect extends far beyond graduation. Students who start their careers in debt are less likely to access preventive health care, save for emergencies, or achieve financial stability—creating long-term societal costs.
If we want to support student success, we must address the root causes of their struggles.
Funding higher education isn’t just about school ranking or producing degrees; it’s about creating a foundation where students can thrive—mentally, physically, academically, and financially.
Audrey Schlotter is the student body president at Oregon State University and is a member of the Council on Student Wellbeing.