322 Inspiration?

Is everyone on? I don't know, did we have any guidelines for this, or is it a free for all?

Hey all,

What do you think about the connection between voting and student organizing? Every year we hear that it's important to vote and that it's our duty, but what doesnt get discussed is really the most important thing about voting: power.

Legislators are in office to enact policy that the community supports and believes in...yes? We often complain that legislators cut support for higher education, raise tution (the legislature sets our tuition) and put it into other programs, but in all reallity...those people vote and hold thier state legislators and congressmen accountable and we really dont.

ini 2004 (I believe) Sen. Cantwell attributed her win to Western students because we were so active.

So here's the question. Do you think we could get Western students engaged enough again to let legislators know that higher education IS an issue and should be better funded on a statewide level and national level? Do you think we can sustain that momentum by creating dialog throughout campus?

I think everyone is on...and I think its a free for all

I think that if we really want to convince students, legislators, and other citizens that it is not only important to support higher education we must first confince them that there is room in the budget for it. At the same time, students have to be uncomfortable enough to make the effort. People have been very comfortable for a pretty long time, and I think it will take something worse than higher tuition costs to force people to become more active in their local governments.

I think maybe more of the problem isnt voting, or perhaps not at this time, but to me its more the accountability. How do we hold our legislators accountable for anything besides by writing to them or protesting. It seems as though voting is a huge power but it is lost in between election cycles.

Apathy seems to the trend with this generation. While some students become active in the process, others simply feel they dont have an invested interest in politics. Funding is important, but to students, it is not the issue that will create more drive. As far as what it would take, each person has a different set of principles which dictate what is important to them, so I feel it would take something really creative or drastic to motivate enough students to make a huge impact.

Before I touch on the future of students and voting, I want to make a general statement about the past. I feel that the intention of students to go to college has fundamentally changed in the past fifty years. Education used to be viewed as a means to create better, more informed citizens. Sarah and I had talked yesterday about how the U.S. government used to foster and facilitate higher education by providing much larger grants (not loans) to working class American students. However, in the eighties it was discovered that people with  a college degree make one million dollars more in their lifetime than people who only have a high school diploma. With this seen as a personal monetary gain, politicians reduced grants and aid, arguing that college should be an investment by the individual and not by the federal government. I feel that this attitude has completely changed the role of the student and the intention and motivation for going to college. Instead of coming to college with an emphasis on becoming a better, well-rounded citizen students today seem focused on the consumption of material and the deep desire to get this over with in four years and move on into a career. Maybe this shift has changed the focus off of civic duties, such as voting, and placed the emphasis on paying for college and moving on into "the real world".

That's a good point. I think that students are comfortable where they are, and really, tution rates for Western are pretty low. Do you think people could rally around an idea? What if we could get tuition as low as 1,000 per year and state support for programs our administration/students are paying for like CASAS (Crime And Sexual Assault Support Services). This is a service provided to victims of sexual assault, domestic violence etc. on our campus. It was funded through a state grant however, last yer that grant ran out and the program was threatned to be cut. The AS student government decided to fund the program because the administration didnt have the budget. Should a program like that be funded with student dollars? Our administration couldnt fund it, (we get a big chunk of our funding from the legislators) I'm of the opinion the state should pay for things like that, including childcare for students on campus.   The real cost of college is far more than just tuition. What if we could get the state to help out with the support services that make going to college possible? Do you think if we list out the expenses that students would actively seek a restructuring of the state/federal budget?

I agree with you, we would have to convince local legislators that there is room in the budget for it.

Bravo Tori, I think that was excellently put. I think this is one of the major faults of the US education system. Because it is an investment, fewer individuals are willing to make it, and those who do are much less focused on the health of our system, but on receiving the personal gain from their efforts.

I definetly agree with you that that shift from creating more informed citizens to a completely money driven society has seriously affected higher education policy. What would it take to change that understanding once again?

This may not be a cure-all but I think that if the government funded the education of driven people who cannot afford college now we would see some major positive changes. Our student population would be more diverse (especially with race and class), students wouldn't be focused on money or jobs giving them more time to invest in their campus community and the education of others, and bigger issues could be confronted without the distraction of paying the bills. But do students alone have the power to change this? Or would we have to convince the rest of America that education is valued and important for the health of our society?

To Tori and Kaya,

I think that those factors are definetly big players in this discussion. Organizing students is exceptionally hard because we move year to year. Every other constituancy holds their legislators accountable by voting. Its keeping track of students thats the problem.

everyone has a different set of values-thats true. I thinkits a matter of touching on those values and personally trying to invest them in (i'll say it) "the cause"

I think that it is definately possible to lower tuition costs a ton, and to provide tons of social services for students as well as others. But even though we are obviously spending money very poorly right now, the costs of programs like these are immense. Norway for example, has free health care, public transportation, education of every level, etc. But these types of programs come with a 50% tax of most paychecks. I think it depends on whether or not we are willing as a nation to give up that much personal money for the good of the people... potentially  ( I hope )

I think it will take convincing the rest of America because that is where the funding for education would come from. And I love the way you stated education as important for the health of our society. Putting it in those terms and extending that argument might just reach people in a way we havent before. Although the student is still paramount in this process.

What about voting on campus? I mean for our student government. I feel that every year I've been here, a large chunk of students fail to vote in Western's elections. Would a voting campaign for our student government be more attainable? Would it create a campus full of active voters that could spill out into local, state, and federal elections?

I agree that keeping track of students is key. Spam filters and other electronic devices give a sense of remoteness, not actually being impacted by any event. At the same time though, students, along with everyone else, have so many things going on, that actually taking the time to inform themselves on these types of issues take a seat to other issues. Because we don't need to deal with the problem tomorrow, as a procastinator myself, I know its much easier to put it off, and then forget.

I think you're spot on.

I think students can do it, however in order to make lasting change we need to convince the rest of America that education is valued and important. Nothing that has ever lasted has been done alone. I think we'd have to talk to different consituancy groups and convince them that education is the way to go. I also think that we have to realize that there is more than one type of education. There's higher ed liberal studies, workforce training, technical colleges, community colleges etc. Each type of higher education serves a different part of our society, economy and even political structure.

Education is at the essence of any society, culture or group. (any W.E.B DuBois fans out there?) it's pretty much the only way (besides economic power) to create political and societal upward mobility. If we support higher education Federally and statewide, so many more underrepresented populations would be able to contribute to our society. Then we run into issues of diversity and discrimination. I'm gonna ask a risky question. Do you think those two concepts played a role in the decline of federal support for access to higher education?

That sounds like a good idea.

Voting on campus for student governmetn elections has dropped in the past year...most definetly. I'm the AS VP of Legislative and Governmental Affairs

I ran against 3 other people, it was a contentious race. Because it was so contentious, more people got involved, but honestly I think that in order to get the students more invested I think it's partially the candidates and AS's job to create a "culture of engagement". Being on the board means I handle a lot of responsibility, and students need to be able to hold me and my other board members accountable. If we get more people active and "practicing" with student government, it might spill over.

"A little revolution now and then is a good thing"   - Thomas Jefferson

While they may play a role, it seems that there are other underlying problems which would be more directly correlated. Education needs to be in the top 3 issues any nation addresses, and the U.S. in my opinion is failing the future generations by sweeping this issue aside.

Thank you to Sarah for pointing out the different types of education. Good point.

Education, Health care, public transportation,

that comes up to a hefty bill. That is the question however. Tax or not to tax.

It depends if Americans are really willing to support it. I will say however, if we take even 1/6 of what get's spent on Defense in this country we'd be golden

But maybe we're overlooking American's intense attachment to individualism. For education and health care, people who have resources to share don't feel it is their obligation. And on public transportation, Americans love their cars and the freedom to go anywhere they want when they want, not having to rely on anyone else to get them there.

So what if I told you guys about another organization thats actually trying to work for the reprioritization of the federal budget? I agree with Matt..education needs to be in the top 3 issues that we address as a nation. The next great depression is coming and who's gonna suffer? us and the following generations. The solution has to come from us, and yes I believe a little revolution is absolutely necessary

Individualism is at the core of the United States, its a value that i hold fiercely as an American, but here's a question...is the age of individualism on the decline? I'm conflicted because I come from a very independant family and I understand (although do not agree with) people that dont feel the obligation to contribute. However, our economy is falling apart, our resources are disapearing quickly, are we going to have to have a cultural shift in order to even make it through?

What sort of revolution though? What would be the major goal? Revolutions are geared around a shared belief in something, yet no true theme has emerged from my point of view. Any ideas?

I don't think we are overlooking the American attachment to individualism. I think that all of us recognize that as one of the biggest challenges we face. Our obsessiveness with I rather than WE. That is where a revolution comes in, people become stagnant without dramatic change. Have you ever heard of an epistomological rupture? It is when the reality we are confronted with can no longer coinside with the reality we live in according to our minds (basically). When we reach this point we have a breaking with our current idea of reality and must shift to adapt to our changing environment. I think America is in for one very shortly.

The individual in todays society and how individualistic we are seems to be countered with how connected we are electronically. Would a jump in online voting participation be a way in increasing student participation? If Western implemented a system, or some form of automated system which not only brings the issue to you, but gives you the chance to give imput, would students still sluff it off?

Epistomological rupture. Perfect phrase to describe the current state of affairs. The question that I have is, do we need to even do anything at all or has it already come to the point where it is out of our control?

Education is a right. That's something that I'm totally committed to. I seriously believe that GOOD education is a right and should be provided for by the state. If it's privately done we have the massive inequalities and economic disparities we see today.

But lets look at what we mean by "revolution". Angela Davis came to this campus last year (or was it the year before) and everyone expected her to be a fan of raiding the streets, having marches and sit ins just like the 60's. What Angela Davis said and what I think we need to recognize is that the students of today are not the students of the 60's, the conditions aren't the same and we have to effectively look at the "student culture" per-say and use our strengths and recognize our weaknesses.

I think our strengths lie in voting power. Ever since they lowered the voting age to 18 (1972 or 5 I think) the need to rally and protest has lessend because of our ability to make our voices heard through voting. I think we need to really take advantage of that.

I'm not sure that every student on campus feels that their input is necessary or particulary powerful. Of course, there are issues that fire me up and make me wish I had a forum to talk about it, but for the most part I'd rather be thoroughly informed and consistently reminded about the issues and voting. I think online voting (at least in our AS elections) has made it easier to forget to vote, because we all are busy people.

We already have online registration, but it's been a hard transition to get students to actually go to the website. It's easier to get people to do a paper form and fill it out right then and there, however if we could brainstorm a website or a link or something that would bring the issues, the ability to register and what not to western students...what your ideas be?

If we come up with a really good brainstorm I'll see if I can get the AS to sponser it via Western Votes!

Good term..I like it.

No I dont think it is out of our control, and I think we need to do something about it becasue if we come to that breaking point without a plan, who is to say that education will even be brought up at all?

Matt, I honestly don't know. Part of me hopes we can still get behind the steering wheel of this crazy vehicle. However, I think a greater part of me understands thats just me being pompous... and human.

I like the idea of voting booths. Maybe even in Red Square. For me, I just need the presence of the election to be on my way to class so I'm thinking about it and planning voting into my day. Maybe student concerns could be posted on a website and addressed in "debates" between candidates. I think a lot of the sincerity of the candidates is lost in posters and profiles.

See you guys tomorow, it's been a really good "dialogue" no conclusions made! Kinda dissapointing actually...

I too must go, but I leave you with a website which has inspired me to become a more involved citizen. Have fun!

www.ted.com

in particular

http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/ken_robinson_says_schools_kill_creati...

I just read through the strand of posts on political stuff, especially ideas for getting out the vote, and I just want to say that I'm impressed.  Who says college students aren't engaged.  So, Connor, that's my conclusion, and I'm not one bit disappointed.

Not to be a negative nancy but I feel that the majority of the students really arn't that involved. Hopefully those that are will help inspire the rest. Any ideas to better promote student/political interaction?

Surprisingly, I have spoken with a number of students who don't or don't want to vote, even in the upcoming, groundbreaking election.  However, I feel that groups like our class, who tend to be more involved in dialogue, discussion and communication, also tend to be more engaged with the politics of the community, state, and country.  As far as student and political action, that is up to them.  I think after the results of the last two elections communities have been left with an overwhelming sense of apathy towards our government.  If students see that they can change their own community I believe they will be a little more encouraged to become politically active in the national sense.

People being dissatisfied with our current and past elections prevents them from voting which in turn prevents the elections from improving. People who aren't voting just aren't thinking it through.

Ill be completely honest. Sometimes i dont feel like voting.  Many people might think that we who dont vote are being immature for not voting. but if your coming from herstories where politics have ruined your family, community, and countries politics is not something you want to bring up at the dinner table unless you dont mind getting scolded. In my case it happened on the floor in our living room. As ive grown up and holding these sorta antipolitical beliefs i found myself wandering around several different activist organizations who helped me obtain the language to verbalize the feelings ive had about the political structure we live in.  

Alot of people feel that there is a lot of power in voting.  I still am unsure of that.  I dont feel that if more people voted are elections will improve.  I definitely would hold hope so.  But it seems to me that their will always be heirarchys in place that will continue to exist and to oppress people.

As for now, i will continue to do the work i do by concious raising, hanging out with youth, and  being a gatekeeper to higher education. 

love, hugs, n revolution!