As the UNC-system Association of Student Governments prepares to tackle potential tuition and fee increases, officers say student involvement will be key.
Members of the association met at Western Carolina University Saturday to draft plans on how to best advocate for students — on the state and federal level.
“We’re making sure our students are involved (in tuition and fees talks) — and for the most part, it seems like they are,” said ASG President Atul Bhula.
The association is comprised of delegates from all 17 UNC-system schools and is funded by an annual $1 student fee.
Christine Hajdin, vice president of the association’s legislative and public affairs committee, said one of ASG’s main projects this year, titled “Cuts Hurt,” is designed to share students’ stories on the impact of tuition increases.
The initiative is split between a focus on N.C. legislators and members of Congress, she said.
The state side of the project consists of composing a documentary of students’ home videos, in which they detail tuition hikes’ impact on their college careers.
“It’s much more emotional, it’s much more from the heart,” she said.
The video will be presented to the N.C. General Assembly in early November, she said.