Students converge on Capitol to learn about legislature

The 11th annual Arizona Students' Association Legislative Conference combined lunch and informational workshops that ranged from basic government operation to the role of the Arizona Board of Regents, which governs state universities.

About 150 students from Arizona's three state universities attended the workshops, which were punctuated by noontime box lunches with lawmakers across the street from the Capitol.

"Hopefully the students were able to get something from it," said Associated Students President Gilbert Davidson, who accompanied the group. "I think the students learned a bit about the legislative process and the Board of Regents."

Student Regent John Platt, an Arizona State University law student, appeared elated after the lunch.

"The legislators came and they were sitting and talking with the students," Platt said. "Talk about a mixture of political involvement."

Not all student participants came away as happy as Davidson and Platt, though.

"It wasn't what I expected," said Doreen Gatewood, a University of Arizona wildlife biology senior. "There weren't too many legislators around, and the workshops didn't have enough time for comments."

UA psychology senior Scott Marquette also was disappointed, though he was a bit more outspoken than some other student participants.

"It's a total farce. It's bs," Marquette said of the students' day at the Legislature. "It's all an impressionist act. Legislators have got to look good for the students and the students likewise for the legislators."

Business and economics freshman Andreana Yribe, however, said the experience was educational.

"I appreciate getting to know more about the government," Yribe said.

Senate Majority Whip Gary Richardson, R-Tempe, took a similar take while he polished off a turkey sandwich.

"It's a great opportunity for legislators to get to talk to students in their districts," Richardson said. "It's good to get out and meet the real people."

Christine Thompson, ASA's executive director, estimated about 40 lawmakers attended the lunch.

A handful of Arizona International Campus students also made the Phoenix trip and lobbied hard for their infant school, which faces funding cuts under some legislative budget proposals.

The AIC crowd responded well to the conference itself, but responses were all negative when it came to the Legislature's treatment of the fledgling liberal arts college.

"They won't open the doors for us," said Colleen Phelan, an AIC pre-law sophomore. "To some of the legislators, it doesn't matter what we say."

UA President Peter Likins, however, has pledged to support the struggling school -with or without state funding.

"There are a lot of facts they (lawmakers) haven't taken time to consider," added AIC freshman Steve Sherwood, who is majoring in international business.

All told, the conference cost about $3,500, Thompson said.