Because of looming budget cuts, members from Associated Students, Inc. went to Washington, D.C. during spring break to begin talks with Congress in hopes of lowering student fees and preventing financing programs from being cut.
Through involvement with the California State Student Association, ASI received information about an annual conference with the United States Student Association held March 15-18 in Washington, D.C.
The conference and organization focuses on access to higher education and lobby preparation for meeting with elected officials and their staff.
“We needed a diverse group of students to lay the groundwork for ASI to be viewed as a truly influential and respected leader of 22,000 students that have proven that higher education is an extremely vital role in our society,â€Â said Vice President Stephen Trembley.
As part of the expansion of ASI̢۪s focus on lobby efforts, they decided that the next step was to address these issues at a federal level and meet personally with the Washington, D.C. offices of Valley representatives. The first few days were spent practicing how to speak in Congress and attending various conferences and workshops.
“It is the most realistic way for students to actively advocate for lower student fees and the continuation and expansion of academically related programs at Fresno State,â€Â Trembley said.
Ten ASI members went on the trip, including President Juan Pablo Moncayo, Trembley, Vice President of Finance Russel Statham and student assistant Alex Andreotti.
Andreotti applied to be one of seven members to go on the trip besides the president and two vice presidents and was chosen as someone who would well represent the school. Her part was introducing each of the members to Congress and telling them why they were there.
“I was a little hesitant at first because I’d never done it before, but it was a good environment,â€Â Andreotti said. “I’m happy I did it. It was an amazing experience.â€Â
She believes that this is an issue that affects not only students, but everyone.
“Education is the key to the future,â€Â she said. “Without it, society wouldn’t be whole.â€Â
In Washington, ASI members talked to staff members for Reps. Dennis Cardoza, Jim Costa, Devon Nuñez and George Radanovich about the importance of federal programs that go directly to students such as grants, access to loan repayment and the importance of higher education and how it affects the economy.
Trembley felt that telling their personal stories could make their argument resonate more.
“They need to hear personal stories and how specific programs have made higher education possible,â€Â Trembley said.
According to him, the conference gave ASI needed lobby training and networking with other schools to work on future projects, such as registering students to vote, public service initiatives, coordinated collaboration between schools and leadership training.
Trembley said that each of the representatives was very receptive to what they had to say and that ASI will continue to speak with them in the future. He also feels that it was a trip well worth taking.
“We felt that our presence was vital to raising the awareness of these issues,â€Â Trembley said. “Change takes time, so this is a process that will continue. We look forward to continuing to advocate for Fresno State students and leave ASI a better place than when we started.â€Â
Jizabel • Apr 10, 2008 at 1:47 am
Ahaha, Kimbo and gm, such naive, gullible, young minds. It brings me back to my childhood. Ahaha
Jizabel • Apr 10, 2008 at 8:47 am
Ahaha, Kimbo and gm, such naive, gullible, young minds. It brings me back to my childhood. Ahaha
Esmeralda Santos • Apr 8, 2008 at 2:09 pm
It was a group of ASI members, student volunteers and students at large who attended the Conference.
Every constituency group who receives money from the federal government is actively lobbying for funding especially during a time when the economy is not doing so well. Students are especially vulnerable to budget cuts since we are not organized into a large voting block with mass electoral power. This is why it is important to be visible not simply at their Congressional Offices but in Washington D.C. Additionally, we participated in solidarity with students across the nation to demonstrate the importance of a unified student voice.
During Spring Break, I missed a week of work, I missed an opportunity to have free time with friends, family or to simply to relax. Instead I chose to take part in a higher education conference to support higher education and lobby for educational programs.
Esmeralda Santos • Apr 8, 2008 at 9:09 pm
It was a group of ASI members, student volunteers and students at large who attended the Conference.
Every constituency group who receives money from the federal government is actively lobbying for funding especially during a time when the economy is not doing so well. Students are especially vulnerable to budget cuts since we are not organized into a large voting block with mass electoral power. This is why it is important to be visible not simply at their Congressional Offices but in Washington D.C. Additionally, we participated in solidarity with students across the nation to demonstrate the importance of a unified student voice.
During Spring Break, I missed a week of work, I missed an opportunity to have free time with friends, family or to simply to relax. Instead I chose to take part in a higher education conference to support higher education and lobby for educational programs.
gm • Apr 7, 2008 at 2:51 pm
So let me get this straight. 10 members of ASI go to D.C. to lobby for lower student fees and then return to advocate that student fees go up with their support of the IRA increases? It certainly would have been impossible to lobby members of the California Congressional delegation when they were home in their districts just a few weeks ago. I’m sure this was a wonderful educational opportunity for the 10 students involved but please spare us the claims of the wonderful benefits that will come of it and how receptive the representitives were. One other note. The reporter on this piece shouldn’t be afraid to ask some of the questions many people were surely thinking when reading this piece. In addition to the contradiction I started off with, how about the obvious – how much did this trip cost?
gm • Apr 7, 2008 at 9:51 pm
So let me get this straight. 10 members of ASI go to D.C. to lobby for lower student fees and then return to advocate that student fees go up with their support of the IRA increases? It certainly would have been impossible to lobby members of the California Congressional delegation when they were home in their districts just a few weeks ago. I’m sure this was a wonderful educational opportunity for the 10 students involved but please spare us the claims of the wonderful benefits that will come of it and how receptive the representitives were. One other note. The reporter on this piece shouldn’t be afraid to ask some of the questions many people were surely thinking when reading this piece. In addition to the contradiction I started off with, how about the obvious – how much did this trip cost?
Kimbo T. Slyce • Apr 6, 2008 at 2:03 pm
Key to the budget problem—-Save money by not doing these field trips.
Kimbo T. Slyce • Apr 6, 2008 at 9:03 pm
Key to the budget problem—-Save money by not doing these field trips.