Have you ever wanted to change something, but you did not know how? Have you ever wanted to see tuition lowered, but you never knew what you could do? Well, there is an organization called Virginia 21 whose goal is to “act as an advocacy group for lowering the financial burdens of higher education.” said Emily Wilkins, a Virginia 21 member and Longwood senior.
Virginia 21 was created in 2002 by a group of William and Mary students who wanted to make a change. Virginia 21 “act[s] on behalf of students at Virginia universities on the state level,” Wilkins added.
There are students involved from many Virginia public universities and colleges. These students want to make a difference and definitely want to make a change. The universities and colleges that have representatives in Virginia 21 are very supportive.
Wilkins got involved because she had lot of friends involved. She said, “I really believed in their message [and] how they went about enacting change. They believe in making a difference by working within the system, and they are now a well-regarded group that has made, and continues to make, a difference in higher education funding.”
Virginia 21 has been around for over 10 years, and they have managed to do many things over this time. Wilkins said, “Virginia 21 has, through various campaigns such as Fund Virginia’s Future and Pay the Penny or Pass the Buck, provided a way for Virginia policy makers to see how important their support for higher education is. It has provided a voice for Virginia college students. Virginia 21 has also introduced the textbook market reforms which made it so book lists had to be posted before classes started so students could compare book prices online to those offered by the bookstore.”
If you want to get involved in Virginia 21 or want more information, you can contact Wilkins at emily.wilkins@live. longwood.edu or like VA21 on Facebook. The benefits of joining are that you really get to see how policy is made and you get to stand up for something. Members have a networking opportunity and have a special weapon in the politics field, one that can really help themselves and others.
