April 23rd was a busy day around the Statehouse in Columbus. Senate Bill 221, the Energy Reform Bill, was voted out of the Senate, the House opened session with a gospel version of God Bless America, and 63 independent college students helped to raise awareness of the 52 AICUO member campuses. Sixteen campuses sent student representatives to the 2008 Student Lobby Day this year for an opportunity to meet with legislators and staff to discuss the importance of Ohio’s independent colleges and universities. The students attended scheduled meetings with their home and school representatives to better ensure that their voice is heard. During lunch, the students heard from a panel of current and former Legislative Service Commission (LSC) interns who attended an Ohio independent college. The panelists gave their personal accounts of how their connections through the LSC internship, in school and through friends, family and local community leaders assisted them in following their career paths. In addition, the panelists were available for Q&A after the luncheon to discuss issues on a more personal basis with the students.
AICUO would like to thank all of the student advocates who took the time to travel to Columbus for the day and lobby on behalf of their independent institutions, the panelists, the state senators and representatives and their staff that met with the students.
—Dustin A. Holfinger
