If today's college students are increasingly lethargic due to the irresistibility of Instant Messenger and the Internet's infinitely distracting games and dancing banana demonstrations, their cyber activity may soon yield more purpose through www.virginia21.com.
The 21st Century Virginia Coalition (Virginia 21), a fast-growing student political organization that began as a small political action committee at the College of William & Mary in fall 2002, attributes much of its success to the fact that it allows students to perform several political tasks online.
Visitors to the Web site can directly contact their town legislators, sign petitions for increased higher education funding and join active campaigns -- all from the comfort of their dorm rooms.
Jesse Ferguson, executive director of Virginia 21 and recent graduate of William & Mary, described the association as a sort of AARP for young people, armed with a vital recruiting force on the Internet.
"If there's ever a way that college students will get involved with anything, it's online. I can reach 5,000 students [through the Web site]. The potential there is incredible," Ferguson said.
While the Web site may be host to those looking to accomplish political tasks with a click of the mouse, Virginia 21's activities are certainly not limited to the Internet. Now based in Richmond, the organization recently hosted a legislative reception for the Virginia Assembly; among the guests were Gov. Mark R. Warner and U.S. Representative Tom Davis, III, R-Falls Church.
"I've been pleasantly surprised by the reception from businesses and communities and legislative groups," Ferguson said. "There's a new voice in town in Richmond, and they are more than willing to listen."
Daisy Lundy, Student Council president and third-year Commerce student, said since Virginia 21's modest start at William & Mary a year and-a-half ago, the organization has held regular meetings with student council representatives from colleges throughout the state. A few members of the Council's Legislative Affairs committee frequent the Steering committee meetings, often to review General Assembly bills that affect students.
Noah Sullivan, second-year College student and Legislative Committee member, said he is impressed with Virginia 21's development.
"It's pretty amazing that the organization has become as well known in as fast a time as it has," Sullivan said.
Ferguson explained that while some Virginia colleges have founded their own chapters of Virginia 21, he hasn't pressured schools to get involved.
"We didn't believe in the cookie cutter message. We didn't want to tell them how to do it -- it's very different for different colleges," he said.
Lundy explained that while she sees no need for a University chapter in view of the many politically active organizations already established on Grounds, she strongly supports Virginia 21.
"The mission and goals [of Virginia 21] are noble and exciting," she said.
Kay Floyd, a junior at William & Mary and co-founder of Virginia 21, said that because the voting process is arduous in Virginia and students are generally unaware of issues, the organization's primary mission is to get as many students involved in the political process as possible.
Despite working on specific concerns such as student financial aid increases and redistricting, Virginia 21 does not endorse particular candidates.
"We want to establish ourselves as a bipartisan society," Floyd said.
Perhaps the greatest concern Virginia 21 has addressed is funding for higher education. Ferguson pointed out that the Virginia General Assembly has issued increases on tuition and has not allowed the amount of financial aid offered to meet these increases.
"Students may be willing to pay more for more and less for less, but more for less? That's not right. Legislators can get away with it because we're not watching it," he said.
Ferguson explained that his favorite part of the job is visiting campuses to get students registered and active; he spoke at the University Democrats meeting Wednesday night.
Asked if he saw a future career with his current position, Ferguson said that he'll eventually have to be replaced by younger staff.
"They've always said that persons working on the full time staff [of political organizations] need to relate to the demography that they represent," he said. "Some organizations in D.C. have missed that in recent years because the person running it is 45. I don't think I'll be here forever."
Virginia 21 has enjoyed mounting statewide recognition and recent attention from The Washington Post for its achievements. In addition, the Associated Press reported on Virginia 21's 12,500-signature petition to Warner this winter for a $400 million increase on higher education funding.
Ferguson commented on Virginia 21's significant future role in state politics.
"This is a watershed year when it comes to the future of education in the Commonwealth -- where Virginia's going and where it's gonna be and what kind of Commonwealth we're gonna inherit," he said. "If there's ever a group in charge of talking about this, it's the group that's gonna be involved with this in 20 years."
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