JMU, state universities unite for advocacy

Virginia's public universities, including JMU, have combined forces this year to create a statewide advocacy-for-students group called Virginia 21.

"We will be lobbying for the full financing of higher education," Student Body President Levar Stoney said. "Students are tired of tuition being raised … tired of being taught in decrepit buildings … the plan is to fix this."

Since the Student Government Association does not have the resources to alter these problems, it makes sense for the SGA to combine with other universities, creating a more powerful lobbying group, according to Stoney. This is the first group of its kind in the commonwealth, he added.

According to the Virginia 21 Web site, www.virginia21.org, its goal is for "Virginia's young adults to participate in the political process as advocates for values important to the future of the commonwealth." The organization is going to focus on mobilizing young voters in Virginia, using positive campaigning for candidates and focus on the issues, educating students on candidates and "ensure that elected officials consider the future ramifications of their short-term policy decisions," according to the Web site.

Stoney said he met with the group last weekend in Richmond. They plan to meet monthly to have an opportunity to network and learn ideas from others schools, he said.

Virginia 21 will lobby the Virginia General Assembly to show representatives that universities should receive more money. Through fund raising and support, the group already has raised about $75,000 to $80,000, which will go toward the lobbying, according to Stoney.

Virginia 21 found that 14 percent of students "engage in the political process," according to its Web site. However, 94 percent of these students feel that being active in this process will help solve problems. In response to this, the SGA is trying to increase voter turnout among 18- to 24-year-olds on JMU's campus. Students can pick up absentee ballots from the SGA office in Taylor Hall, room 304.

However, these must be turned in soon, so one must get one immediately, Stoney said. According to the Commonwealth of Virginia's Web site, www.virginia.gov, a person must submit his or her absentee ballot "not less than five days prior to the election in which the applicant offers to vote."

Virginia 21's goal is to "register 40,000 new voters in the next three months," according to an Oct. 14 SGA press release. As a result, students can pick up voter registration cards from the SGA office.

Also, come election time in November, the SGA will help educate students on candidates' platforms, thus fulfilling another aspect of Virginia 21. According to Virginia 21, since 86 percent of college students said they need more practical information before they get involved and make decisions, the presentation of platforms will help fulfill this goal.

After the November elections, according to the SGA press release, Virginia 21 "will change its focus to supporting mainstream public investments in higher education and student quality of life, ensuring a positive future for the Commonwealth of Virginia."