The nation's largest student-run group discusses current issues

By: Megan Johnson

Posted: 11/15/07

On Oct. 13 members from the United States Student Association made a visit to Lane Community College to check up on the member school and to touch bases with the Associated Students of LCC.

USSA is the country's oldest and largest national student-led organization, which aims to develop current and future leaders and to amplify the student voice at the local, state, and national levels by mobilizing grassroots power to win victories on issues that effect students such as rising tuition costs.

Carmen Berkley, vice president of USSA, said that the main goal behind the visit was to see where the Associated Students of LCC are in terms of organization and to talk with them about current legislative issues affecting students.

Of the 50 students that sit on USSA's board of directors, five of them are from Oregon.

"I hope to see the culture of LCC," Berkley said. "It's important that a community college organize because they are a part of a community, and when everyone works together more things get accomplished."

Berkley also said that she liked the fact that TRIO, the opportunity outreach program, had its own office at LCC and that it was clearly marked, because some colleges she has visited do not market their programs as well.

Berkley said that some of the current issues that USSA is focusing on are the Budget and Appropriations bill and the Higher-Ed bill.

"We cannot balance the budget on the backs of students," Berkley said.

USSA will also be conducting Leg-Con, Legislative Conference, in Washington D.C. from March 15 - 18. Students from all over the country will come together to rally and lobby in hopes of gaining needed votes from Congress.

"We want Student Government to be there. But we also want student organizations and members from the community to be there as well," Berkley said.