Victoria Vo
Staff Writer
On Feb. 1, the Student Government team and Pierce College students travelled to the statewide Community and Technical College Student Rally in Olympia to support their school and the education system.
The civil rally is an annual event. It’s an opportunity for students to remind legislators that higher education is a priority. The shared belief among those in attendance was that students are the future of Washington, so their rights should be protected.
About 20 students from Pierce College Fort Steilacoom joined more than 300 students from dozens of community and technical colleges across the state to address issues such as tuition costs, textbooks prices and higher education funding cuts. Students lobbied against budget cuts and urged lawmakers to prevent tuition increases. The State Capitol in Olympia was filled with students, banners and echoes of “We are Washington’s future. Don’t cut the solution”.
“Everyone has a dream, and I have a dream. I will do everything I can to make my dream come true,” Fort Steilacoom student Thomas Le shared with excitement. “If tuition increases, I am totally not able to afford it”.
Senator Barbara Bailey and representatives Larry Seaquist, Chris Reykdal, and Larry Haler all took turns presenting speeches in support of community and technical community colleges.
Some students opened up about their own challenge to go to school and the search for brighter futures at community and technical colleges. They explained that if tuition keeps increasing, they could no longer picture better lives for themselves or their children.
“We are the solution” was a chant started by the speakers. It was always finished in a chorus of “We are the solution” by all those in attendance.
Director of Student Life Cameron Cox said, “the rally was well attended. Students were loud and clear. I believe that legislators heard and understand how important the community and technical colleges are in students’ lives; they play a critical role in the lives of our students and in the well-being of our state”. According to the information from Student Government, 74 postcards were turned in by Fort Steilacoom students who could not attend the rally in person that day.
After the rally, the Washington Community and Technical College Students Association had a meeting in order to form the executive structure for this association. Through WACTCSA, Student Leadership Teams from Community and Technical colleges across the Washington State can be connected closely.
Through this organization, community members plan to work together on the behalf of local students and better represent two-year schools.
The Community and Technical College Student Rally has ended, but the message still exists. If you are a student who would like to take a stand and lobby against student issues, please come to the Student Life Office near the cafeteria to fill in the postcards. Legislators are being informed of student needs through individual voices coming together.
