Editor’s Note: This letter does not reflect the views or opinions of The Daily Barometer.
In a letter addressed to the Daily Barometer, former Associated Students of Oregon State University President Kayla Ramirez directly addressed their September termination, pushing back against the official narrative from the university.
According to Ramirez, the university has cited “multiple reasons for (Ramirez’s) removal, including academic ineligibility. However, Ramirez refuted this claim in their letter, which can be read in full at the bottom of this page.
“I met all requirements in the ASOSU Constitution, and my employment contract did not stipulate that I would be immediately removed from office,” Ramirez said. “I have continued to demonstrate satisfactory academic progress, yet it is clear my removal was not about capability.”
Ramirez said their termination was really about complying with new ASOSU-specific policies “that did not exist until six days before (Ramirez’s) termination.”
“These policies were brought into effect without warning, without the consent of both parties to the original contract, and to date have only been applied to one student,” Ramirez said.
Ramirez claimed they are the first ASOSU president to be removed in this manner in the 124-year history of the student body. Ramirez voiced concern that they are the second elected branch leader to be terminated recently, after the removal of Dylan Perfect as chair of the Student Fee Committee in June of 2025.
According to Ramirez, these employment policies were allegedly finalized without the consultation of elected student officials.
“When institutions change the rules retroactively and fail to show empathy for the circumstances they create, it reveals more about the system than the student,” Ramirez said.
Ramirez said when they, and current Provisional President Masha Mogylevsky, received alleged threats, little was done to protect them. However, who the threats came from or the nature of said threats were not specified.
When the Stole Reeves law foundation conducted an investigation into ASOSU, Ramirez said they were interviewed as part of the investigation, but their interview was not used in the final report.
“Our voices had been completely erased,” Ramirez said. “The handful of testimonies that supported the administration’s actions were among the only interviews reported. The ‘review’ also explicitly refused to address firings of elected officials by the administration, widely considered to be retaliatory — ensuring that these incidents were never properly investigated.”
Ramirez said the administration’s neglect has caused substantial harm to students.
Furthermore, Ramirez said what happened to them is part of a “bigger pattern” that affects the very integrity of the university.
“This pattern is the erosion of shared governance at our institution,” Ramirez said. “The day after my termination, the Faculty Senate passed two motions citing a lack of consultation and involvement in major university decisions, including program terminations and structural changes.”
“This lack of transparency and accountability weakens decades of student representation and trust,” Ramirez said.
Ramirez said they were reminded that real leadership begins with compassion and that belief “does not end with a position.”
Ramirez thanked their community for their care and kindness and said they have “full faith” in Mogylevsky.
“If I can leave you with one message, it is this: do not lose hope,” Ramirez said. “Keep demanding better. Keep speaking (the) truth and supporting one another, especially when institutions fail to. Real change has always come from students who refuse to be silenced, and it will again.”
This is a developing story and The Daily Barometer will continue to update as more information becomes available.
Full Text of the Letter:
Statement from Kayla Ramirez on Removal as ASOSU President
Letter to the Editor – Kayla Ramirez October 14, 2025
I want to address my termination directly. The university cited multiple reasons for my removal, among them academic ineligibility. My circumstances do not reflect a lack of effort or ability. I met all requirements in the ASOSU Constitution, and my employment contract did not stipulate that I would be immediately removed from office. I have continued to demonstrate satisfactory academic progress, yet it is clear my removal was not about capability. It was about compliance with new ASOSU-specific policies that did not exist until six days before my termination. These policies were brought into effect without warning, without the consent of both parties to the original contract, and to date have only been applied to one student. In the 124-year history of the ASOSU, the university has not removed any previous president in this way. I am the second elected branch leader to be terminated, since our Student Fee Committee Chair was removed in June.
As elected officials, we were told we would help shape these employment policies, but instead, they were finalized without us. This should never be about catching students off guard. It should be about empowering them to succeed. When institutions change the rules retroactively and fail to show empathy for the circumstances they create, it reveals more about the system than the student.
It would not be honest to pretend my circumstances happened in isolation. They were shaped and intensified by the same administration that now acts surprised by the consequences of its own neglect. It is hard to hear those in power claim to care about student well-being while perpetuating the very conditions that undermine it.
When Masha and I received threats, little was done to protect us. Our stories were excluded from the workplace review, and our testimony on racism, discrimination, and harassment never appeared, even though the report cited that we had been “interviewed.” Our voices had been completely erased. The handful of testimonies that supported the administration’s actions were among the only interviews reported. The “review” also explicitly refused to address firings of elected officials by the administration, widely considered to be retaliatory — ensuring that these incidents were never properly investigated. When we consistently spoke about hearing our peers discuss fears of retaliation from university administration and asked for support, we were met with persistent mockery, harassment, and bullying. Our concerns were dismissed both publicly and privately. That indifference was not passive; it was harmful. We kept showing up, communicating in good faith, and hoping something would change. It never did.
No student leader can thrive in a system that punishes truth and discourages care. The administration’s neglect has caused substantial harm to students.
What happened to me is part of a bigger pattern, one that affects not only student leaders, but the integrity of our university itself. This pattern is the erosion of shared governance at our institution. The day after my termination, the Faculty Senate passed two motions citing a lack of consultation and involvement in major university decisions, including program terminations and structural changes. Students understand the faculty’s concerns, as we are facing the aftermath of the unilateral suspension of our elected governing bodies for the better part of a year and the restructuring of our student fee process. Tens of millions of dollars are being taken out of direct student oversight. This lack of transparency and accountability weakens decades of student representation and trust.
Though institutions may lose sight of their purpose, the strength of this community reminds me that real leadership begins with compassion. I became a leader because I believe in the possibility of something better, and that belief does not end with a position. Titles come and go, but purpose remains. The work continues.
To my community, your care and kindness have been my anchor. I am deeply grateful to everyone who reached out, stood by me, and showed compassion when the institution did not. You have reminded me why this work matters and who it is truly for. I have full faith in President Masha Mogylevsky and their leadership. They represent the courage, resilience, and integrity that this university needs most. Masha has been one of my greatest inspirations, and their grace throughout this time has reminded me what true leadership looks like.
If I can leave you with one message, it is this: do not lose hope. Keep demanding better. Keep speaking truth and supporting one another, especially when institutions fail to. Real change has always come from students who refuse to be silenced, and it will again.
In Solidarity,
Kayla Ramirez
