OUR Platform
"I believe in a future where every student, educator, and working family has a voice—a Board of Education that listens, acts with integrity, and puts people first. I’m Devon Lawson, born in Oklahoma and raised on the McKenzie River, and I’m running to bring honest, reform-minded leadership to Lane Community College."
A Platform For Our Community
Our Core Priorities.
1. Moral Renewal & Transparent Governance
• Accountability: End the era of backroom deals. Every decision at Lane Community College must be made openly, with our community’s best interests at heart.
• Responsive Leadership: Ensure that all board seats are filled promptly so that no critical decision is delayed.
2. Empowering Our Community
• Supporting Educators & Staff: Create an environment where every faculty member and staff is valued, heard, and equipped to succeed.
• Accessible Education: Champion initiatives that lower costs and broaden access so that every student can pursue their dreams without financial barriers.
3. Investing in Modern Campus Infrastructure and Technology
• Up-to-Date Facilities: Modernize classrooms, laboratories, and common areas to provide a safe, innovative learning environment for today’s students.
• Digital Resources: Expand online and digital learning tools that prepare students for the modern workforce, ensuring that Lane Community College remains competitive and relevant.
4. Strengthening Career and Workforce Development Programs
• Partnerships with Local Industries: Forge new and strengthen existing collaborations with local businesses and community organizations to create internship and apprenticeship programs that directly lead to quality job opportunities.
• Skills for the Future: Invest in vocational training and career counseling that equip students with the practical skills needed to thrive in an evolving economy—boosting our middle class and supporting low-income families.
Bullet List Of Goals:
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Propose a tuition waiver for all Lane County residents making less than 200% of the federal poverty level.
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Work with the Oregon State Legislature to expand funding for the Oregon Promise program, which already offers some free tuition but has income and credit-hour restrictions.
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Push for a progressive local tax (e.g., small tax on large businesses in Lane County) to subsidize tuition costs.
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Identify students burdened by unpaid tuition/fees and seek partnerships with local/state government for debt relief programs.
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Work with the Board to forgive existing institutional debt, which would allow students to re-enroll and continue their education.
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Create "Debt-Free Graduation" programs, ensuring future students do not accumulate new debt.
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Work with the Lane Community College Education Association (LCCEA) and Lane Community College Employee Federation (LCCEF) to strengthen faculty and classified staff contracts, ensuring living wages, smaller class sizes, and full benefits for all staff.
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Convert part-time adjunct faculty to full-time whenever possible, ensuring job security.
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Push for democratic governance where faculty and staff have decision-making power on major college policies.
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Raise the wage floor to $25/hour for all campus workers, including custodians, food service employees, and student workers.
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Establish wage equity by reducing administrative salaries at the top to help fund wage increases at the bottom.
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Work with local labor orgs to unionize any non-unionized workers on campus.
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Charge housing rent based on income percentage.
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Expand the LCC food pantry, ensuring hot meals for all students, regardless of income.
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Review all LCC financial investments and cut ties with companies that exploit workers, engage in union-busting, or violate environmental regulations.
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Establish a socially responsible investment policy that prioritizes worker-owned co-ops and ethical businesses.
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Push for student and worker representation on all key college committees, including budget decisions.
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Implement participatory budgeting, allowing students and faculty to vote on how part of the college budget is spent.
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Ensure all major college policies go through democratic review by students, faculty, and staff before implementation.
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Push for full divestment from fossil fuels and campus-wide renewable energy investments.
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Convert LCC to 100% solar and wind energy within five years.
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Install free electric vehicle charging stations for students and faculty.
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Protect LCC’s sanctuary campus policy, prohibiting ICE enforcement on college property.
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Expand legal aid and scholarships for undocumented students.
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Offer free English language courses to all community members.