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ORU Students Take Financial Aid Concerns to 'The Hill'

By Elissa K. Harvill

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Members of the ORU Student Government Association recently took on Capitol Hill over the proposed elimination of the Federal Perkins Loan program, which currently provides financial aid for numerous ORU students. The program will possibly get cut in 2012 when it is up for renewal as part of the Higher Education Act; however, the overwhelming majority of Congressmen with whom the students spoke show support for maintaining the program until a better alternative comes along. The goal of the student lobbyists was to persuade Congress (and the authors of the proposal) to enact a "sunset clause" that would minimize the negative impact on all schools, especially smaller private schools,-(which for ORU, could mean an annual loss of $5 million in revolving funds that could be collected from past borrowers and loaned to current students.)

One of the project managers, Will Neder, likened the lobbying effort to "dealing with a very big baby with a lot of needs." But these intrepid students were up to the challenge! Aymee Beiter, also a project manager who is already connected to many Congressional offices, gathered information to pass along to team members. A month before approaching the Hill, the student team, assisted by Dr. Timothy Booker, assistant professor for the ORU Government Department, identified key people who would directly influence the fate of the Perkins program, targeting the Appropriations and Authorizing Committees of both Houses--- specific Senators, Representatives, as well as White House offices. "This was a great opportunity to participate in government-after all, we are the student government!" said Heather Thomas, Student Association President and participant.

Not only did the ORU team meet with an impressive list of dozens of Congressmen and advisors, they also trained student leaders from other universities, including Washington University and Boise State, broadening the entire lobbying effort. "My interest was in putting together a lobbying template or 'nervous system' for students that can be implemented as they have need to approach the Hill," Neder said.

This innovative 'nervous system' was created and recreated onsite in D.C. as participants made contacts and set up meetings. Student Association Officer, Anna Scott developed an interactive map that tracked their progress and budget management, streamlining and allowing immediate corrections to the lobbying process. Other team members included Alexis Carter, Martin Kattam, Sara Mazzucca and David Collins (05), who participated in scheduling and taking meetings with targeted Congressional offices.

Although the final vote on the legislation won't take place until September, Brooker believes that the team of students successfully announced to D.C. that ORU is a player in national politics. "According to some we talked to, we are viewed with more credence than others because we don't just run up to the hill over every issue. When ORU speaks, they know to listen."