Hillary Hall, Juan Medrano & Nima Maghame
The Los Angeles Community College District board of trustees welcomed the activist group California Public Interest Research Group [CalPIRG] onto its campuses, to advocate voting in college youth.
“We help students develop a voice on public issues,” said Ben Unger a CalPIRG representative at the board meeting Feb. 8, at LA City College. “We need to reverse the cycle of neglect.”
Pierce College Associated Students Organization representatives Abraham White and Eleany Busta were there to support the presentation.
“Because of high textbook cost and the price of registration going up, we need to vote,” said White.
According to CalPIRG’s Web site, their mission is to stand up for California’s consumers when health, safety and fundamental principles of fairness and justice are violated. They also advocate new laws at local, state and federal levels.
“Students have been forced into action when fees went from $11 to $26, (a unit) it forced students to find a voice,” said Board member Michael Waxman, adding that, “community colleges have become a top priority for elected officials.”
Board member Kelly Candaele also echoed the importance of voting by adding that, “Voting directly and profoundly impacts our students.”
“There’s a bright future for CalPIRG in working with students to make California a better place,” said Unger.
Our top priorities around the state right now are working to reduce global warming pollution, helping the hungry and homeless, registering and turning out student voters and making sure college access is a reality for every student that wants it.”
There will be a California statewide initiate on the upcoming Nov. 7, ballot to lower student fees and to fund California’s community colleges.
The board resolved to support CalPIRG in their efforts to get community college youth active in voting and the democratic process. CalPIRG is also set to establish a “Student Voter Participation” week in early fall.
“Make politicians pay attention to us,” Unger said as he faced not the board but the audience at the meeting.