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What is LegCon?  | Map  | Alumni Event | Lobby Day | Impact | Cost | FAQ

 Map to L'Efant Plaza Hotel

What is USSA’s Legislative Conference?

Each spring, the United States Student Association puts on the Grassroots Legislative Conference and National Student Lobby Day (LegCon).  This four-day event provides students at every level of organizing and leadership ability the opportunity to learn new skills in student advocacy, network, lobby federal elected representatives on student issues, march through historic downtown Washington, DC, rally on Capitol Hill, and of course build lifelong friendships. The 43^rd Annual Grassroots Legislative Conference will be March 23-26, 2012.

Workshops

A large part of Leg Con consists of workshops led by student and professional experts in organizing and advocacy.  Workshop topics consist of everything from the federal budget process to winning a student government election to the history of the student-labor movement.  These sessions provide students with an amazing chance to learn about issues critical to fighting for college access and affordability and dialogue with a wide variety of student and professional organizers.  Workshops are hands-on, engaging, and fun!  Anyone interested in strengthening a student government association, building a Student Labor Action Project chapter, developing a grassroots campaign, or simply wanting to get involved cannot miss these incredible opportunities!

If you are interested in hosting a workshop, we encourage you to do so. Just fill out this form! Workshop proposal form

Alumni Event

Each conference, one night is devoted to the amazing alumni of USSA who continue to give so much of their time and effort to the student movement.  The alumni event consists of USSA speakers, and awards reception for both students and legislators, and great food!

National Student Lobby Day

The final day of the conference begins with a march from the conference hotel to Capitol Hill.  Along the way, we pass several Smithsonian museums and federal departments, including the Department of Education.  Holding signs made the evening before and chanting timeless phrases like "Say it loud, Say it proud: Grant aid now!" conference attendees make their voices heard across the morning streets of DC as march toward the Capitol.

Once on Capitol Hill, students end the march at a USSA rally that brings together federal legislators, executive officials, student participants, media figures, and more in a dynamic and fun event that garners plenty of press attention to amplify the student voice. Past speakers have included the late Senator Ted Kennedy, Education and Labor Chairman Congressman George Miller, Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee member Patty Murray (above), and Undersecretary of Education Martha Kanter. 

After the march, students attend lobby visits with their members of Congress and Senators to advocate for issues impacting young people.  During the conference, students attend lobby visit preparations seminars and go over legislative fact sheets so that all attendees are up-to-date on the issues and adequately prepared to meet with federal legislators.

The Impact

Students don't come to LegCon simply to meet and have a good time -- we make a difference!  Last year's LegCon occurred as Congress passed historic student aid reform legislation that invested more federal into higher education than any other policy since the GI Bill.  Students were at the signing with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, attended press conferences with Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pension Chair Tom Harkin and Banking Chair Chris Dodd, and even the signing of the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act by President Obama.  Media coverage included reports from the Washington Post, NPR, CNN, Fox News, the Nation, USA Today, and more!

The Registration Dates and Cost

Membership Cost:

·       Early Registration: January 9th -29th, 2012              $155

·       Regular Registration: January 30st- February 19th, 2012             $175

·       Late Registration: February 20- February 29th, 2012              $200

Nonmember Costs:

·       Early Registration: January 9th -29th, 2012                $205

·       Regular Registration: January 30th- February 19th, 2012               $225

·       Late Registration: February 20th- February 29th, 2012            $250

Minority Serving Institutions and Community Colleges:

USSA MSI/Community College members all registration:     $150

USSA MSI/ Community College non members:             $175 

Register Here!

Frequently Asked Questions

Click here to view frequently asked questions about the conference.  If you do not find an answer to your question here, please contact USSA Trainings Director Adriana Cortes Luna.

Contact USSA Trainings Director Adriana Cortes Luna at training@usstudents.org with any questions or concerns