Editor,
The ASUNM Lobby Committee participates annually in the New Mexico legislative session by lobbying for initiatives that affect the students of UNM. Common goals of the past include keeping tuition low by supporting a zero to minimal increase in the tuition credit and supporting the current structure of the Lottery Success Scholarship. The ASUNM Lobby Committee has been working diligently on its goals since last summer and has been present at the Legislature regularly since opening day.
The ASUNM Lobby Committee is led by Erin Muffoletto, the ASUNM Lobby director, and made up of various students who would either like to gain experience with the Legislature or just want to represent student issues at the state level. Both the lobby director and the ASUNM president verse themselves in UNM priorities by sitting on such committees as Lobos for Legislation, the UNM Planning Council and Budget Summit.
This year, the ASUNM Lobby Committee will focus on six issues that affect students. The first priority is one the committee has had in the past and will push again this year: continuation of the Lottery Success Scholarship in its current format. More than 43,000 scholarships have been given at UNM. The Lottery Success Scholarship has and will continue to provide many students the opportunity to get an education. For many, this would not be possible without the scholarship.
The second priority is a zero
percent tuition credit increase. A tuition credit sounds great, until you realize it is actually a credit to the state and an automatic increase in tuition for students. ASUNM will encourage full formula funding without an increase in the tuition credit.
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Three initiatives presented on the University's official priority list will also be supported by the ASUNM Lobby Committee. These requests provide funding for the College of Education Renewal, funds for building repairs and renewal and funds to update compliance with the Life Safety Code, primarily in the dorms. The committee would like your support. With students' support and determination, our goals will be
accomplished.
This Friday, UNM Day will take place at the state Capitol. Students, staff, faculty and alumni will have information tables and speak to legislators about issues important to UNM. If you are interested in joining students at the Legislature, let ASUNM know. A bus will be taking UNM students to the Capitol at 7:30 a.m. Friday and returning around 3 p.m. Please call the ASUNM office at 277-5528, e-mail Asunm@unm.edu or stop by the office, SUB 1016, to reserve your space today.
Legislators want to talk to students regarding issues that affect you. You can make a difference. Let ASUNM know today if you will be joining us on our trip to Santa Fe. We hope to have a huge UNM student presence at the Legislature this coming Friday. Hope to see you there making the most out of your education.
Brittany Jaeger
ASUNM president
