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Students travel to the state Capitol
From left to right, former Student Senator Erin Blankers, former state representative Sheila Solon and Student Senator Hannah Overfelt pose at the Missouri state capital last spring during Student Senate’s visit. Submitted photo
Student Senate is planning the Truman State at the Capitol event that will occur April 10.
Student Senate members, Truman students and University staff present University projects at the capital’s rotunda every year to make state representatives aware of the University and how legislation impacts students, specifically the merit-based funding formula.
Student Government Staff Advisor Laura Bates said University students who attend have a chance to meet Missouri District 3 State Representative Nate Walker and their hometown representative.
Senior Hannah Overfelt, Student Senate External Affairs Chair, said this is the 13th year Student Senate has organized Truman at the Capitol. She said each year students have a specific topic they present to legislators.
Every year, the presented topics are representative of Truman and the community, and Overfelt said the strategy this year is to talk about the merit-based funding formula because it currently is a prominent topic.
Overfelt said Student Senate usually does not coordinate with other groups to go during the same day. She said the trip occurs once during the school year and always is planned for the spring semester.
Overfelt said some other universities have lobbying groups and because Truman does not, it is important to meet and talk to lawmakers.
“It’s important to go down there to have those intelligent conversations with our representatives to show them that at Truman, we are about [legislative issues],” Overfelt said. “It’s great for representatives to see that we as students are thinking about these issues because they do impact us and matter to us.”
By being present at the Capitol, Missouri District 3 State Representative Nate Walker said students can showcase not only academic programs, but also athletic and cultural programs. Students also can remind legislators of Truman’s mission, Walker said.
“Sometimes, legislators don’t know or think about where their young constituents attend school,” Walker said. “This day is a good reminder for legislators about what is important for students and how to best take care of their students. There is a lot of activity to promote northeast Missouri at the Capitol. Every day is Kirksville Day at the Capitol.”
To sign up for Truman at the Capitol or for additional information, visit Student Senate’s page at senate.truman.edu.
Filed Under: News • Off campus • On campus
Sheila Solon is a current sitting member of the Missouri House of Representatives (D-31)