A group of University students visited Richmond yesterday in order to observe and participate in the General Assembly's political process and to meet with legislators and Gov. Tim Kaine to discuss issues pertaining to higher education.
According to Todd Eley, co-chair of Student Council's Legislative Affairs Committee, Council intends to make the event, which is called U.Va. Day, an annual affair.
The first goal of the event was for "students to interact with legislators and view the political process in Richmond," Eley said. "The second was for legislators to hear what students care about at U.Va. and for them to know ... that we actually take a stance [on political issues]."
He mentioned that they modeled the trip after similar programs run at Virginia Tech, Virginia Military Institute and several community colleges.
As part of the day's events, University students sat in on various Virginia Senate committees as they reviewed different bills. Next, students met with Sen. R. Creigh Deeds, D-Charlottesville, and Sen. Russ Potts, R-Winchester, as well as legislative aides for Del. Robert Tata, R-Virginia Beach, and Sen. Frederick Quayle, R-Suffolk.
Potts, chairman of the Senate Education and Health Committee, emphasized the importance of becoming active in the political process.
"This country ... truly is a land of opportunity," he said. "[The only] failure is to stand on the sidelines. Get involved; you can make a difference ... To whom much is given, much is required."
Sen. Potts said he supported a House bill that gives the University greater elasticity in how the University employs its funding.
The University "should have flexibility to invest in those funds," he said.
Students also had the opportunity to meet with Kaine, who explained that while the state's budget has been cut, a portion of the general fund will be split between transportation and higher education. He added, however, that "higher education will probably do well."
Fourth-year College student Ted Miller said he enjoyed the trip to Richmond.
"It was a great experience to see the legislative process," Miller said. "I'm honored to have represented U.Va.'s interests in Richmond. It was especially enjoyable that the governor made such a commitment to us and showed U.Va.'s importance in Virginia"
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