By Tory Hernandez
Arizona Daily Wildcat
October 22, 1997

ASUA members push education issues in D.C.

Arizona Daily Wildcat Gilbert Davidson

More grants, equal funding and lower loan rates were on the top of ASUA members' agendas as they lobbied Arizona congressmen in the nations' capital last week.

Well, actually, they talked to their aides.

Federal Relations Director Andrew Hayden, along with Associated Student Government President Gilbert Davidson and Arizona Students Association Director Brook Rosenbaum, visited Washington, D.C. Oct. 11-15 to make sure higher education improvements are on the congressional plate. The members focused on three main issues: increased allocation of Pell Grants, the continuation of State Student Incentive Grant and lowering interest rates on student loans.

Arizona Daily Wildcat Brook Rosenbaum

"There were so many issues," Hayden said. "We had to prioritize to hit home the ones that are really important to us right now."

The State Student Incentive Grant, or SSIG, which matches federal funds with funds from the state and university, may be discontinued in the future by the Arizona legislature, Hayden said.

In addition to lobbying for the continuation of SSIG, the students threw their weight behind a bill decreasing student loan rates to save students $9 billion and supported expanding the eligibility of Pell Grant recipients.

Despite the Columbus Day congressional recess, Hayden said the trip was productive.

"It was more informal and the aides said it was a good time for us to come because they weren't as rushed," he said.

"We probably would never have met with the representatives anyway," Davidson said.

The students met with aides to:

U.S. Sen. Jon Kyl, R-Ariz.

U.S. Rep. Jim Kolbe, R-Tucson

U.S. Rep. Ed Pastor, D-Tucson

U.S. Rep. Matt Salmon, R-Phoenix

U.S. Rep. John Shadegg, R-Phoenix

U.S. Rep. Bob Stump, R-Phoenix

"It's important for them to know that not only are we watching them but that we care," Rosenbaum said.

"I think we got that message across."

The UA contingent went with two students from Northern Arizona University who stayed through the week to meet with U.S. Rep. J.D. Hayworth, R-Phoenix.

The university delegations took turns making financial aid presentations to the congressional staffers.

In addition to legislative visits, the students met with national lobbying firms.

ASUA terminated its membership in the National Association of Students for Higher Education, a higher education lobbying group, last month.

"We aren't going to join another (lobbying) group during my term," Davidson said, "but we made contacts and got to see what the organizations were working on."

Hayden said the group also visited the campuses of George Washington University and Georgetown University to see their student unions and meet with student government leaders.

"We tried to incorporate a lot into the trip," Hayden said. "We now have contacts with the congressmen, which will help us with another trip in the spring."

Hayden said he plans to arrange another trip for ASUA members in late spring to meet with representatives while they are in session.