Lobby Corps

INTRODUCTION

Lobby Corps is an organization that strives to unite activism, professionalism, and strategic planning to advocate for student needs. The corps strives to represent student interests in political institutions by fighting for student rights, people-powered democracy, and affordable, accessible, and quality higher education for all. Lobby Corps seeks to mirror the unique, diverse, and forward thinking nature of the UCSB community, and advocate for student needs – be it in Washington D.C., or Isla Vista. The unit collaborates with other student organizations in order to educate, assist, and train student leaders so they can achieve the change they wish to see. Corps members research, analyze, and advocate for and against local, state, and national legislation, programs, and policy. The goal of Lobby Corps is to influence legislators and decision-makers in order to craft public policy that reflects UCSB’s diverse student community’s views and needs, and to give participating students the opportunity to gain political organizing and legislative advocacy experience.

Lobby Corps hosted a number of legislative advocacy trips in coordination with various organizations and entities within UCSB Associated Students. It is our their to give all interested students the opportunity to participate and gain experience by speaking to their elected representatives and lobbying for student needs.

 

Lobby Corps Executive Board welcomes new students.

Lobby Corps Starts the Year

Lobby Corps started the year tabling in front of Davidson Library to let their fellow students know about their activities which included opportunities to go on trips to Sacramento and Washington, D.C.

LOBBY CORPS GOES TO WASHINGTON

In November Lobby Corps led a delegation of 24 students from California to Washington D.C to advocate for student basic needs before federal legislators! After weeks of studying legislation and practicing lobbying skills, participants put their knowledge to the test on Capitol Hill.

They were honored to be a voice for their fellow students across the UC system and nation who face increasing levels of food and housing insecurity while pursuing undergraduate degrees. During meetings with the offices of Representatives and Senators, they advocated for students around the country by pushing for legislation that will have a significant impact on the day-to-day lives of American college students.

They sent a big thank you to all the amazing student lobbyists who joined them on this trip on Facebook! They look forward to seeing more student oriented legislation advance in D.C.

SACRAMENTO TRIP

In January students went to Sacramento to meet with legislators and speak about how the funding allocations in the state budget will affect them. They also lobbied legislators about a number of bills that are vital to our campus community’s needs, specifically when it comes to mental health. Students were encouraged to apply for the trip with the result that the corps brought passionate, civic-minded, and engaged undergrads to the halls of power in our state’s capital.

UC STUDENT ASSOCIATION STUDENT LOBBY CONFERENCE (SLC)

The Student Lobbying Conference is an annual event that brings UC students to the State Capitol for the opportunity to develop lobbying skills, learn more about issues affecting students and California higher education, and directly engage elected officials on these issues. The conference is hosted by the University of California Student Association (UCSA). UCSA is the official voice of students from across the UC’s system of campuses. It is UCSA’s mission to advocate on behalf of current and future students for the accessibility, affordability, and quality of the University of California system.

Unfortunately, due to COVID 19 travel to this conference, which traditionally takes place in March, was replaced by Zoom meetings. Not the same, but students did still have a chance to network and exchange ideas.

SPRING QUARTER ALTERNATIVE

Since travel was impossible during spring quarter, Lobby Corp focused on students’ safety and privacy during proctored online exams, while continuing to hold remote meetings and staying informed about university and state policies that affect students.