Student Leaders Call On Legislators To Act On Student Loans

This past week I was given the opportunity to travel to D.C. and help lobby on behalf of students everywhere. Our goal was to urge Congress to act and help prevent Stafford loans from doubling. Below is a copy of U.S. Representative Kathy Castor's press release regarding our visit, along with the visits of several other student leaders from the state of Florida. Castor represents Florida's 14th District. 

Washington, Jun 27 -

If Congress does not act by Monday, the rate on federally subsidized Stafford loans will double from 3.4 to 6.8 percent. 

“This is the No. 1 priority for students at Florida universities and across the nation,” U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor said. “Student leaders visited the U.S. Capitol this week to urge Congress to act.  Others have been active through social media and teleconferences.”

Rep. Castor cosponsored two alternative bills to fight rising student loan interest rates, and implement or maintain fair measures for student loans. However, House Republicans instead passed a bill in late May to saddle students and families with higher interest payments for their loans. 

“Once again, time is running out and the House Republican leadership is sending a message that our future workforce, continued economic recovery, students and college affordability for working families are not priorities,” Rep. Castor said. Last year under the same kind of urging from Rep. Castor and others, just two days before low interest rates were set to expire, Republicans extended them for one more year.

Below are statements from student government associations of Florida universities and colleges about the looming student loan interest rate increase: 

·         This will have a reverse effect on the economy and start a vicious cycle. Consumer spending fuels the economy and with more debt, it leaves graduating students with less for discretionary spending. -- Patrick “PK” Creedon, University of Tampa Student Body President

·         I already have had a lot of students come to me who are considering discontinuing their studies after receiving their AA degrees because they’re not sure they can afford to repay student loans with higher interest rates. They are already facing challenges affording housing and food, and afraid of reductions in other student financial assistance, such as Pell grants. – Chris McDermott, Hillsborough Community College Student Government Association Advisor 

·         The rising student loan rate will make it difficult for graduates to invest in our economy. The average debt for a student in Florida is over $23,000. This kind of debt hurts our economy because we spend too much of our income repaying student loans instead of investing in our communities. – Stefano Cavallaro, Florida State University Student Government Association Director of Government Affairs

·         Providing students and their families stability and security as they plan their college careers and make life altering decisions is our goal. – Christina Bonarrigo, University of Florida Student Body President   

Link to U.S. Representative Kathy Castor's Website

Student Body Vice President Joselyn Rivas, Student Body President Christina Bonarrigo and Senate President Lauren Verno at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building in Washington, D.C. 

SG in DC

Here are some pictures from my trip to DC! It is such a pleasure representing all UF students in the Nation's Capital.

 SG members meeting with Senator Burr of North Carolina.

 Found some Gator spirit in Representative Ron DeSantis of FL's office! 

Awesome view overlooking the National Mall from Speak of the House Boehner's office. 

Summer Break

Wow!  Summer A went by quickly!  I hope everyone has a safe and relaxing break between Summer A and Summer B.  I'm getting ready for an exciting Summer B and can't wait to welcome our first batch of new Gators.  See you all on July 1 and look out for some information on some of our upcoming SG events! 

Meeting with Gainesville City Commissioner Thomas Hawkins

I recently met with City Commissioner Thomas Hawkins.  Commissioner Hawkins is a life long resident of Gainesville.  He graduated from UF's College of Liberal Arts and Sciences with a degree in economics and also holds a Masters in Real Estate from the Warrington College of Business. The commissioner and I spoke about a variety of issues that pertain to the student body including towing rates and public transportation.

Commissioner Hawkins is leading the charge to generate more funding for additional bus routes that will serve campus and the rest of Gainesville.  He plans to fund the expansion of RTS with a 1% sales tax surcharge, increasing the current sales tax rate from 6% to 7%.  As a representative of the entire student body, I am asking everyone to participate in the poll below to gauge student interest.  Go Gators!

Board of Governors Meeting Today

As your Student Body President, I serve on the Board of Trustees (BOT) that oversees the University of Florida.  Similar to the UF BOT, the Board of Governors (BOG) oversees the entire State University System.  The BOG is holding its first meeting since my inauguration and I am pleased to be posting from USF, the site of this month's BOG meeting.  I am most excited about the presentation of university work plans--specifically UF's work plan. University work plans are outlines of short-, mid-, and long-term goals, and how each specific university will achieve their goals.

UF's work plan is very exciting and outlines three key areas we are trying to improve to make UF one of the top 10 public universities.  You are probably aware that UF received a substantial amount of money to become a top-10 institution.  Our school is making calculated investments in a variety of areas and will strive to improve metrics like graduation rates and student to teacher ratios.  This goal will take our university from state-wide preeminence to national preeminence.

I am looking forward to the changes and improvements that will thrust UF to state and national preeminence.  I think that all students will benefit and will find their college experience to be even more challenging and fulfilling.  The hard work and dedication of UF's administration and leaders will benefit past, current and future gators by strengthening the value of a University of Florida degree.  

Summer Traditions: Brunch

Often reserved for Easter or Mothers Day, brunch is one of my favorite ways to slow down and relax over a meal and around good company. Gainesville has a host of breakfast restaurants that are perfect spots to kick back and enjoy some fantastic food. I made a quick list of my favorite brunch places from all around Gainesville:

• Ivey's Grill 
• Flying Biscuit Cafe
• Sisters
• Civilization
• Peach Valley Cafe
• The Jones Eastside and B-side

Student Loan Rates Set to Double July 1

Over the past 35 years, the cost of a college degree has increased by more than 1,000 percent.  As a masters student, I understand the financial burden of tuition and the costs associated with higher education.  Barring congressional intervention, the interest rates for federally subsidized Stafford loans will double from the current rate of 3.4% to 6.8%.  I recently sent a letter to U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown outlining my stance on the issue and asking for her support.

Summer Sports Update

Football season is 85 days away.  As much as I enjoy spending my Saturdays cheering for the Gator football team, 85 days is too long to wait for some gator sports action.  In the mean time I've been following Gator Softball and Track and Field. 

As a high school softball player I loved traveling with the team and playing in tournaments.  The Gator Softball Squad finished a terrific season with an impressive showing at the WCWS (Women's College World Series).  Our girls finished the season 58-9 and racked up some additional awards.  Lauren Haeger and Hannah Rogers were named All Americans and head coach Tim Walton was named SEC Coach of the Year.  I admire the hard work and dedication of all the girls on the softball team and could not be more proud.

Our Track and Field team is also making some serious moves at the NCAA Outdoor Championships.  The Championships continue through Saturday, but Florida is already making waves.  You can keep track of the action on ESPN3 from 3:50 p.m.-8:00 p.m. (pacific time) today and on ESPNU Friday and Saturday afternoons.  Congratulations to all of our gator athletes and GO GATORS!!!

Rocking the Boat with a Monday Post

Hey everybody. This is one of the rarest things on Earth: a Monday blog post!  I couldn't wait until Tuesday to blog about my first ever Luncheon on the Lawn.  I'm inviting all students to come have lunch with me on Tuesday, June 4th (that's tomorrow) from 11:00-1:00 at the Plaza of the Americas. Food and drinks will be provided, so swing by and let me know what you want to see from Student Government this year. I am dedicated to making my administration the most transparent and most accessible administration this campus has ever seen, but I need your help. Please let me know how SG can be more effective at meeting the needs of students on our campus.

I can't wait to see all of you tomorrow!