On Thursday, April 7, 2011 Gustavus students and financial aid supporters will travel to St. Paul to meet with state legislators and make the case for increased funding for the Minnesota State Grant program. The program helps make higher education affordable for 88,000 Minnesota college and university students. One quarter of Gustavus students receive need-based aid through the program each year.
Need for this support is particularly acute. More students are enrolling in college than in the past, and more of them have financial need due to the difficult economic conditions impacting many low- and middle-income families. Amid a historic budget crisis for the state, the program faces a projected $35 million deficit this biennium.
“The time is now to get involved,” said Brittany Richardson, chair of this year’s Day at the Capitol planning committee. “Gustavus has a tradition of turning out in good numbers for this advocacy event because Gusties care about access and opportunity for all. This year, the issue is critical, and we need to break all past participation records.”
The students will be joined by President Ohle, as well as by Professor Kate Knutson, Ph.D., who is incorporating the topic of higher education funding in her public policy class this semester. After participants meet with their legislators from their home districts and have lunch, Dr. Knutson will moderate a panel discussion featuring Gustavus graduates working at the Capitol. Following this, the group will have dinner out on the way back to campus. All the day’s activities are free of charge including lunch, dinner, and transportation.
A Day at the Capitol kickoff orientation event will take place at 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 5 in the St. Peter Room in the College’s C. Charles Jackson Campus Center, with filling refreshments. The schedule for Day at the Capitol is as follows:
April 7 schedule
- 8:00 a.m. Board Bus at Three Flags
- 9:30 a.m. Arrive at State Office Building
- 10:00 a.m. Check In and Training
- 10:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Meetings with Legislators and Lunch
- 1:00 p.m. Early Bus departs for Gustavus
- 1:00 p.m. MPCC Wrap-up
- 2:00 p.m. Panel of Gusties at the Capitol
- 4:00 p.m. Late Bus departs for dinner
- 4:45–5:45 p.m. Dinner at Khan’s Mongolian BBQ (Bloomington)
- 7:00 p.m. Return to Gustavus
Those interested in participating may register through the Minnesota Private College Council’s website: http://www.mnprivatecolleges.org/events/day.php.
Any questions may be directed to Brittany Richardson, at brichard@gustavus.edu.
This year’s Day at the Capitol is made possible by the following Gustavus groups: Student Senate, Office of Marketing and Communication, Department of Political Science, Office of the President, Athletics, and Academic Affairs.
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