At Northwestern and elsewhere, student governments are taking active roles in off-campus politics.
The student government at the University of Washington in Seattle exercises power off campus by sending lobbyists to the U.S. Congress, the state legislature, and city and county councils. Members of the Associated Student Government at NU also have off-campus political connections.
The University of Washington is a large public school with many in-state students, while NU is a private university that draws applicants from all 50 states. Despite differences, their student governments focus on many of the same issues at local and state levels.
At Washington, a committee within the student government discusses public policy and then selects lobbyists. Each year, one undergraduate goes with administrators and graduate students to the legislative session in Olympia.
The undergraduate meets with individual legislators to point out key goals of the student body, said David Roberts, a student government representative. In the past, legislators have been responsive to students’ opinions, he said.
Students have lobbied to keep tuition low and financial aid high. They have pushed for child care, better transportation and textbook tax exemption. The student government also encourages students to call their representatives and take an active role in local and state government.
While tuition is the focal point for Washington’s student government, ASG representatives press different issues.
“If ASG senators feel there is a pressing issue that directly affects NU, they will send a representative to a government meeting or get a transcript,” said Jazmin Portis, external relations chair.
This year ASG senators are working with Evanston to create a voting site on campus, said Portis, a Weinberg junior, adding that they also are helping with on-campus advertising for Evanston City Council candidate Allan Drebin, a Kellog professor.
NU students also have voiced opinions at council meetings. Administrators speak to aldermen on behalf of NU. But students do not have the chance to meet with Illinois legislators.
At the national level, ASG has written resolutions to support the United States Achievement Academy, an organization of universities, Portis said. For example, when USAA called for advocacy of affirmative action, ASG passed a supportive resolution.
NU also is represented by the Association of Big Ten Schools, which sends lobbyists to Washington, D.C.
