The Associated Student Senate is planning to attend a conference in Washington D.C. at a cost of $12,000, which the student body will pay for.
Atsiylah Garfinkel, the commissioner of clubs and organizations at City College, explained that the reason for the senate to attend is to advocate for students regarding the City College budget cuts.
“I want to go so that I can stand up for people who haven’t learned to stand up and advocate for themselves,” Garfinkel said. “Our biggest issue is lobbying for students.”
In past years, students lobbying for the Student Association have lowered student interest rates and increased student grants.
The National Student Advocacy and Leadership Conference will be hosted by the American Student Association of Community Colleges.
Students from community colleges throughout the country will have the opportunity to hear speakers from the U.S. Department of Education, The American Association of Community Colleges, and the Student Aid Alliance.
Six senators and two advisors will be paying for the conference out of the student representation fee, which comes from the mandatory $1 that all students pay when they enroll.
By law, the representation fee can cover student representatives’ hotel stay, airfare, meals and regional fees for school-affiliated events.
Senators from City College will be given the opportunity to meet with congressional members and lobby on a state level for issues that are important to community colleges nation wide.
Student Senate Trustee Sean Knotts said that it is very critical for student senators to interact with members of congress.
“Once you open up communication, it’s easier to ask for something,” Knotts said.
Although this is an annual event, student senate attendance depends on funding.
The American Student Association of Community Colleges will be held from March 21 to 24.