Students taking part in Mason Lobbies stand in front of the Virginia State Capitol in Richmond, Virginia on March 5. They are preparing to go lobby to state representatives. (Isabella Pearlstein / Fourth Estate)

Mason students lobby on behalf of university at state Capitol

BY RITHVIK HARI AND ISABELLA PEARLSTEIN, STAFF WRITERS

Eighty-one George Mason students traveled to Virginia’s Capitol in Richmond on Thursday, March 5, to meet with state legislators and lobby on behalf of Mason. 

“It’s very great to talk to people who have the power to make [a] difference,” said History major Andrew Tonkinson. “It felt like they were ready to listen and they enjoyed listening to people.”

Griffin Crouch, chair of the Undergraduate Representative Body’s Government and Community Relations Committee and one of the lead organizers for Mason Lobbies, explained the event’s purpose.

“Mason Lobbies empowered students to advocate for funding for GMU —  including financial aid money,” he said. 

Crouch said the students aimed to advocate for “ICE off campus for student safety, protecting free speech of student protesters, protecting out-of-state students’ access to reproductive and gender-affirming healthcare, public sector collective bargaining so students, staff, faculty have a seat at the table and more!”

Mason students gathered early on the Fairfax campus to meet with their groups and discuss lobbying strategies before leaving for Richmond.

Mason students in Richmond, Virginia during Mason Lobbies on March 5. Green and gold scarves were given to participants as they got off of the bus. (Isabella Pearlstein / Fourth Estate)

As the buses arrived at the Va. General Assembly, students received green and gold scarves and broke off into their groups alongside a group leader, who received folders with information to hand to legislators during the meetings.

After assembling into their small groups, the students entered the Va. General Assembly. Students listened to an address from Mason President Gregory Washington, as well as Mason alums House Majority Leader Charniele Herring and Senator Saddam Salim.

During Washington’s address, he emphasized the importance of the students’ presence at the Capitol.

“Your voice matters, more than you know,” he said. “It’s about exercising your voice.” 

“You have the opportunity to impact this process,” Washington said. “Tell your story. Have fun. Engage our legislators.”

Majority Leader Herring opened her address with an affirmation of Patriot pride. 

“I am so proud to be a Patriot,” she said. 

She also talked about her journey through the Mason STEP program and how much it helped her succeed.

“Your voice is needed. You’re going to do great things,” Herring continued. “I am so proud of you all.”

Senator Salim focused on his journey as a Mason student and becoming a state senator. He ended his address emphasizing the effect of his community on his position. 

“This seat is not mine; it’s each and every one of yours,” he said.

After the addresses, students left for their meetings. Each Mason Lobbies group had four meetings between 9 to 11 a.m. where the groups met either senators or delegates. If a representative was unavailable, groups would meet with their chiefs of staff. 

Nathan Pittman, a Mason alum who was a former student body president and is currently chief of staff for senator Ryan McDougle, talked about the timing of Mason Lobbies. 

“Coming around now is great and having your voice heard is great,” he said, acknowledging that the event was occurring just before a vote on the Va. budget.

Pittman had also been a participant in Mason Lobbies. 

“I went all four years,” he said. “[It] definitely has an impact.”

Senator Danica Roem mentioned the importance of student lobbying and its role in humanizing public policy. 

“My job is to serve my constituents,” she said. “Student voices matter.”

Students gather outside the Virginia State Capitol in Richmond, Virginia on March 5. The students talked to state legislators, lobbying issues important to them. (Isabella Pearlstein / Fourth Estate)

After their meetings, the student leaders and President Washington reconvened at the Capitol.

“Having them speak their truth … it is immeasurable to us,” Washington said before walking into the Capitol. 

The rest of the students went to the Credit Union House of Virginia, an event venue, for lunch and to discuss their experiences and takeaways from the day.

Government and International Politics major Emily Sherwood and her group were moved to tears during their meeting with Senator Russet Perry’s chief of staff, expressing gratitude for Perry’s support of transgender health care.

A’Mya Holland, a Government and International Politics major and newcomer to Mason Lobbies, said the event was impactful and informative for her.

“I definitely enjoyed talking to different legislators and [being] able to express to them my Mason story … and how their bills impact me greatly as a student.”

It was also Government and International Politics major Anvi Chitti’s first Mason Lobbies. Though she was nervous at first, she was helped by their group leader and friends.

“It was really fun, too, talking to senators and delegates that actually come from the area that I live in,” Chitti said.

This year marked the first in-person attendance of Mason Lobbies for Tonkinson, the History major, because last year’s event was held virtually. He discussed how impactful it was to have the opportunity to speak to elected representatives in their offices.

“It felt very good to kind of have that power to talk to them and say ‘hey, this is what your own constituents feel, and this is what we want to see,’” he said.

Zayd Hamid, a graduate student studying Public Policy, has been going to Mason Lobbies since 2021. This year was his last time attending.

“There are so many brilliant, talented undergraduates that have time left here,” he said. “It is my sincerest hope that they dedicate at least part of their time left here towards continuing this great work.”