Last week, The Rotunda reported on the efforts of Virignia21, a student political education group throughout Virginia, to help curb student loan debt and increase financial aid. This week, the group has started their petition drive called "What's Your Number?" on Longwood's campus by tabling in Dorrill Dining Hall. The group will be there today and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. so students can sign the petition, have their picture taken with their debt number and learn more about the campaign.
Virignia21 Deputy Director Brittany Tyler explained the "What's Your Number?" campaign as designed to educate "young people and the broader community about the challenges facing our society as we continue to finance higher education through debt.
They hope to advocate their message through the petition drive, various campus events and a social media campaign. "Each school is doing something a little bit different," said Tyler, "but the campaign has really taken off." She added, "We have schools in every corner of Virginia writing their debt on T-shirts and taking pictures to send to [Gov. Bob McDonnell], posting videos about struggling to pay for college on YouTube, and writing articles in their school newspapers to draw attention to the issue." This past summer, Virginia21 decided to tackle the issue.
While many students may not have student debt or be on financial aid, Tyler said it still affects them. "…What is important to remember is that a portion of everyone's bill to their college is being taken and added to the financial aid pot to make up for the void that the state is not giving. So even if you do not receive financial aid, in a sense, because of a lack of funding, you are paying for someone else's."
She said the practice is not to be seen as a negative shot to any of the colleges as it is a necessary tool in ensuring students are able to return to school and obtain financial aid. "Every college in the Commonwealth has had to start doing this in the last few years as a reaction to budget cuts and funding not meeting need." Tyler said students need to rally behind the issue not only for themselves, but also for their friends.
"There is no way we will ever be able to make change if this does not go viral," said Tyler. She urges students to sign the petition at www.virginia21.org/whatsyournumber and post that link to all forms of social media as well as spread it by word of mouth.
Breaking 1,000 signatures in the first four days of the petition, Tyler said the organization's goal is to exceed 10,000 signatures by Jan. 11, just in time for the Virginia General Assembly to vote on McDonnell's budget recommendations. "We need as many students to show their support for more financial aid as possible," she said.
