Students at the College of William & Mary have taken the fate of their education into their own hands by creating Virginia's first student-led political action committee. The group, formed in May, hopes to raise money in an effort to support the new education bond referendum.
If passed, the General Obligation Bond Referendum would contribute nearly $900 million to state institutions, of which over $68 million is allotted for the University and $61 million for William & Mary.
Members of the Students of William & Mary Political Action Committee are laboring to make their voice heard in Virginia legislative affairs. With state funding currently available only in limited amounts, it has become increasingly important to put the focus on education initiatives, Committee Chairman Brian Cannon said.
A piece of transportation legislation could take money away from the proposed education bond.
Cannon said he was motivated to start the committee because William & Mary students were dissatisfied with the state of educational affairs in Virginia.
"We felt there was a definite need for a student voice in this fight," Cannon said.
So far the group has raised approximately $6,000 in donations out of their $20,000 goal. The funding has made possible a two-week radio campaign promoting the bond.
The committee hopes the ad campaign will compel the residents of the Hampton Roads region to support the issue on Election Day.
Cannon plans to meet soon with William & Mary's Board of Visitors in hopes of obtaining further funding.
According to Cannon, the committee currently has a great deal of non-student support, including Honorary Co-chairs Lt. Gov. Timothy M. Kaine and State Sen. Thomas K. Norment, R-Williamsburg.
University Student Council President Micah Schwartz says he supports the efforts of Cannon and his colleagues.
University students "can benefit from taking the same kind of initiative," Schwartz said.
Legislative Affairs Committee Chairman Preston Lloyd says he respects the ambition of the William & Mary political action committee, but believes more can be accomplished through Foundation 2002, a statewide group that advocates approval of the bond referendum.
Lloyd said students working toward the same goals as Foundation 2002 would result in too much "double coverage" of the issue. Foundation 2002 has better contacts and would be more effective than localized student groups, Lloyd said.
Leaders of the William & Mary committee say they hope to serve as a model for students at the University and other state schools that wish to show their support for education.
The University will be holding its own gathering in support of the bond referendum, Rock n' Rally, on Sept. 28 in the Mad Bowl.
Read More
Dean Rucker honored with Z Society’s highest honor, Pale Z Award
By Brendon Bordwine | 10 hours agoThe Society has a storied history of honoring University leaders with the Pale Z.
Students receive free STI testing through U.Va. Health and Wellness
By Jackie Bond | YesterdayThrough funding from Student Council, students are now able to receive free STI testing with SHW which includes tests for HIV, Syphilis, Gonorrhea, Chlamydia and Hepatitis C.
President Ryan signs collective statement condemning Trump administration
By Cecilia Mould | YesterdayWhile the statement claims that signees are willing to enact reforms and cooperate with government supervision, it disagrees with the current administration’s decision to withdraw funding from institutions.
