Our Chapters

OSA’s approach to organizing is people-centered and based in grassroots relationship-building. Fundamental to our vision are strong and independent chapters led by student-leaders who plan and organize around the issues that they themselves are impacted by and passionate about.

What do campus chapters do?

Campus chapters serve as a political home where students come together to organize and build collective power to enact change on campus and beyond. With the support of OSA staff, OSA campus chapters:

  • Recruit and train student organizers who are passionate about social justice

  • Plan and run campaigns that win concrete improvements to the lives of students

  • Conduct voter registration and education with the aim of educating students about what’s on the ballot and how they can use their power as voters to make change on the issues that matter to them

  • Build a strong base of organized students who can wield power to make progressive change, both on campus and in collaboration within the broader community

How do I become an OSA member?

It's easy! Fill out the form here. We will make sure to keep you in the loop concerning statewide meetings, upcoming events, calls to action, our newsletters, and so forth. If there's already a campus chapter at your university, we'll connect you!

What if there isn't already a chapter on my campus?

Not a problem! First of all, you can start one! Interested? Email our program director Rachael Collyer at rachael@ohorganizing.org to learn how to start a new chapter. Beyond chapters, OSA also does work at local city-level and statewide levels. Go to a statewide meeting and get plugged into one of our campaigns.

 

CHAPTER HIGHLIGHTS

Cleveland State University

After a successful Ban the Box campaign during the 2019-2020 school year, OSA Cleveland State spent the following year researching the CSU police department. Advocating to reimagine campus safety and reinvest in student services, the chapter’s current campaign on campus policing will continue through the next semester. OSA Cleveland State also took part in the Citizens for a Safer Cleveland Ballot Initiative in 2021, hosting a number of on-campus canvassing events to collect signatures for the petition.

 

Case Western Reserve University

The CWRU chapter is just getting started, but we’re looking forward to sparking real change on our campus. We’ve currently been busy canvassing and raising awareness for the Citizens for a Safer Cleveland campaign, as well as working with state OSA on cancelling federal student debt. Furthermore, we are planning on working with various student groups to ensure CWRU administration stays true to their promises of promoting racial equity and reducing sexual misconduct on campus.

 

University of Cincinnati

Students at the University of Cincinnati have been working hard to make a change on their campus. While beginning their own OSA chapter this past spring, they have placed most of their focus on campaigning to cancel federal student debt. Some of their next plans include defunding campus police, working towards better mental health services for students, and creating student worker unions.

 

STUDENT-LEADER HIGHLIGHTS

MAGGIE FROM CLEVELAND STATE

Maggie Philips is a junior at Cleveland State University studying Political Science. Working on Ban-the-Box pushed her to improve her research, writing, and communication skills as well as her leadership capabilities. Experience on the campaign proved to her that everyone has the power to become an organizer and fight for change within their community.

ESSYNCE FROM CENTRAL STATE

Essynce Mackey is a junior at Central State University majoring in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing. Through OSA, Essynce alongside other students at CSU were able to create a modified grading system proposal to assist students through COVID-19. Essynce’s goal is to make Central State a better place before she graduates. 

MARIA FROM UNIVERSITY OF CINCINNATI

Maria is a senior at University of Cincinnati majoring in criminal justice and minoring in psychology. As someone who will be graduating with debt herself, Maria has made it her focus to work hard on campaigning for federal student debt cancellation. Maria’s goal is to make higher education accessible to all individuals.