More than 30 students took to the streets to lobby legislators on behalf of higher education in response to budget cuts proposed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Both undergraduate and graduate students participated in the event, which was organized by Bruin Lobby Corps, a division that works under the external vice president’s office in the Undergraduate Students Association Council.
The event was the largest single in-district day lobby effort across University of California campuses. Participants included Bruin Lobby Corps members and representatives from various student groups such as Bruin Democrats, College Republicans, MEChA and the Rainforest Action Network.
Participants met in Ackerman Union before setting out in small groups to lobby state assembly members, particularly about upholding the Higher Education Compact, an unofficial agreement the governor made in 2004 not to increase fees by more than 7 to 10 percent until 2011.
Before heading out, Liz Hall, executive director for University of California Students Association, told the students how important their job was and that they were not alone in their cause.
Among the main issues discussed while lobbying were student fee increases; the Cal Grant, which has had its funding cut entirely in the governor’s budget proposal; AB2372 by Democratic Assemblyman Joe Coto, which would levy a 1 percent tax increase for millionaires and limit the increase in statewide tuition; and two new versions of the Dream Act, AB2083 and SB1301, which would give financial aid to undocumented students.
The support of legislators is not always guaranteed. Jesse Melgar, USAC external vice president, said that regardless of the reception by legislators, the main goal was to establish a relationship for future lobbying efforts.
“While we may disagree on one thing, they may be our allies on another,” Melgar said.
He added that depending on the issue at hand, legislators can sometimes only sympathize but not offer their entire support or commitment. The student lobbyers came together for a number of reasons, but most had a personal relationship to the cause, said Melgar.
Melgar cited the struggles he has had to face as a first-generation student on financial aid as motivating factors when he lobbies. He said he had come to terms with the harsh reality that without financial aid, he would not be at UCLA.
Melgar said as a student, he has come to believe that he is at UCLA not only to receive an education, but to fight for others as well.
Though he is only months away from graduating, USAC President Gabe Rose joined in the lobby day and said he believes he should help as much as he can in the effort. Rose said that an increase in student fees would affect students like his younger brother, who have just begun college.
Rose and Phoebe Lao, director of events for Bruin Lobby Corps, formed one of the many groups that lobbied on Friday. That afternoon, they visited Assemblywoman Julia Brownley and spoke to her about the many financial issues that college students face.
Brownley, chair of the Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 2 on Education Finance, which hears all K-12 and higher education budget matters, said she was pleased with the students’ efforts in lobbying on an issue she said is important and dear to her, since she has two college-aged children.
With the increasing financial difficulties facing students, Brownley added, attending college is becoming more difficult than ever.
“Kids are having to work so much. … At some point it becomes a great privilege, when it shouldn’t be that way,” Brownley said.
She added that an increase in student fees would be unavoidable if current circumstances do not change.
“It’s inevitable that the Regents are going to recommend a fee increase. … We need to continue the fight and make this the highest priority,” Brownley said.
Garnering support from legislators can be difficult, especially in a year with a budget crisis, Hall said.
Rose said such visits, even if they are short, make an impact on state officials.
“I think a lot of times it seems like, “˜Oh, what impact can we have?’ … But I really think that they remember those things, and it makes an impact,” Rose said.
Lao also said that lobbying, or any form of activism, is important.
“I feel like I am really making a change here, although it might not be obvious, but I feel like instead of just sitting around doing nothing, I am actually going out there and (being) active,” Lao said.
“You are a part of this; everybody is.”