Student Advocacy and College Affordability Elena Sakopoulos Midwest Organizing Manager, Young Invincibles

Young Invincibles Millennial policy & advocacy organization Issue areas Higher education Health care Youth unemployment Student Impact Project

Why college?

Tuition Trends – STATE DISINVESTMENT

National Picture 48 states – all except Alaska and North Dakota– are spending less per student than before the recession The average state is spending $2,026 less/ student than before 2007 Tuition is up $1,936 or 28%, since the 2007-08 school year Student loan debt doubled from half a trillion dollars in 2007 to over $1 trillion today

Trends in IL Higher Ed Funding Avg tuition in IL public college is $11,990 (above national average) Illinois has the 5th highest in-state tuition in the country. Average student debt: $28,028 MAP grants cover only 30 percent of student need

What’s different this year?

What do we do about it?

Advocacy is: The act of attempting to influence a politician or public official. The majority of advocacy is comprised of educating lawmakers and other stakeholders about an issue with the end goal of changing public policy. We do this by: Sharing our personal stories Providing lawmakers with facts, trends, and data Keeping lawmakers updated with new information Making an ask

Sharing student stories is central to our advocacy! Why are students powerful advocates?

General tips Call your legislator’s office a couple days before, and the morning of when you arrive at the Capitol Be flexible – if you can’t get a meeting scheduled, try to pull your rep off the floor or find them in the hallway Be courteous and respectful of legislators’ time Dress like you’re going to Grandma’s Don’t be afraid to say, “I don’t know,” but make sure to get back in touch with them or their staff

Know Your Audience Familiarize yourself with your state rep, their background, and their history How do they stand on higher ed issues? Past votes they have taken (SB 2034, June stopgap budget, etc.) What committees are they on? What do they look like? You might need to “pull them off the floor”

Know Your Audience Champions – co- sponsors, leaders Thank them! Ask how you can help Supporters – agree Ask them to take a leadership role Opponents – disagree Thank them Undecided Try to persuade and gain commitment Talk about why this is important to you personally Follow up with answers to questions

Keep in mind… “Universal but different” Facts and data matter, but don’t get bogged down in the details (don’t guess or speculate!) Leave something behind if possible Rebuttals “I agree - the state should balance its budget first. There are a wide range of revenue-generating options the state can consider in order to fund colleges. Which would you like to see pursued?” Most common thing you’ll hear from conservative legislators is “we don’t have the funds” College is an important investment for our state to make, even if it IS expensive Students are leaving the state – what do we want our economy to look like in ten years? There are ways to pay for this legislation (not just raising income tax), and the legislature has the tools to come up with this information Most common rebuttal from Democrats is “I don’t have any power, talk to Mike Madigan” Don’t let them shirk their duties – it’s their responsibility!

Now it’s your turn!

Keep in touch! elena.sakopoulos@younginvincibles.org 707-815-3917 #MillennialMon 234 S Wabash St Chicago IL elena.sakopoulos@younginvincibles.org 707-815-3917