ASUN leaders utilize social media amid debt ceiling debate

Summer might be a time of relaxation for most students, but for ASUN student government leaders, there's as much anxiety now as ever. That's largely due to the United States government debt talks which are becoming increasingly worrisome the longer a deal isn't made. For students who rely on government aid, like Pell Grants, the affects of these discussions may make a university education unaffordable.

ASUN president Lane Carr was recently among 50 student body presidents who signed a letter addressed to President Obama and all members of Congress, urging bipartisan cooperation.

"This is not about politics," the letter reads. "Our country and our future are in serious trouble, and the clock is ticking."

The student group also had a recent conference call with the President, in which he applauded the coalition's efforts and encouraged them to continue pushing the Senate and House toward agreement. Specifically, Carr says, their efforts have turned to House Speaker John Boehner. Carr spoke about how important the internet has been in organizing and enacting their efforts.

"Social media has been playing a large part in the effort," he said. "ASUN has been Tweeting at our representatives and including the hashtag "#dowehaveadealyet." He said that those interested in their efforts can check their website: dowehaveadealyet.com. As this issue went to print, the site sported a large, bold "NO" and links to contact Senate and House leaders.

Eric Kamler, Government Liaison Committee Chairman for ASUN, has had the opportunity to meet directly with government leaders to discuss the situation. He spent a week in Washington D.C., and while there sat down with four out of five of Nebraska's state representatives. He says that Senator Reid's proposed bill on the Democratic side looks to preserve the Pell Grants at their current level. With House Leader Boehner's proposed bill, however, cuts would be made. In the end, Kamler said, there will need to be a compromise between the two sides.

He says that more than 27 percent of University of Nebraska-Lincoln students take advantage of Pell Grant money, which is why he made it one of his top priorities while in Washington. "I think that's something that we need to maintain, especially here at the university," he said.

Pell Grants weren't the only area with uncertain future. Kamler cited university research dollars as another major question mark at this point.

Kamler says that speaking with Nebraska Sen. Mike Johanns gave him the most insight into the likelihood outcome, and that as of their meeting, he wasn't optimistic about an immediate deal.

"The feeling I get too is that it likely won't get done before August 2," he said. "And we could be seeing some serious consequences here."

Despite the anxiety and frustration going on, Kamler said his time in Washington was beneficial for both ASUN and the university as a whole.

"A student government doesn't work well unless we have relationships at other levels of government and at other levels of institutions," he said. "Partnerships help create a lot of things, from getting our ideas through, to helping out with developing programs at the university, and at the student government level to benefit the university and students."

Debt ceiling negations are the most immediate concern, but Carr says ASUN has many goals in motion going into the school year, including a new bereavement policy. "There is not a uniform policy regarding student's absences when a loved one passes away," he said. "We have been in contact with our colleagues from Purdue who have pioneered such a policy, and will be working with administrators almost immediately to discuss such a policy at UNL."