Dozens of WSU students are swarming the state Capitol grounds today to press their priorities as part of the annual Coug Day at the Capitol.
Held remotely for the past two years, students from five WSU campuses returned in force before dawn this morning. Agenda items for a series of meetings with legislators include requests for resources to support mental health, support for a bill to establish a Native American scholarship program, legislation supporting students’ basic needs, and legislation extending terms of the Washington College Grant to match that of the federal Pell Grant.
Students are breaking into groups to meet with legislators and are paying visits to the Office of the Lieutenant Governor and the Secretary of State’s Office. More than 50 students are participating from WSU’s Tri-Cities, Pullman, Vancouver, Everett and Global campuses. Visits today support the work of two full-time student lobbyists from the Vancouver and Pullman campuses, who have been roaming Olympia’s halls since the beginning of session.
Organized by the Student Government Council of Washington State University, this effort is geared to enable WSU students systemwide the opportunity to meet with state lawmakers and discuss higher education priorities.
Today marks the beginning of week three of this year’s 105-day legislative session.
CORRECTION: An earlier version of this post attributed the organization of Coug Day to the Associated Students of Washington State University (ASWSU). Coug Day is actually organized by the Student Government Council, a collective and joint effort between ASWSU and the Graduate and Professional Student Association (GPSA)