12 years before Hawaii and Alaska joined the US, or within that same year when Gandhi led India/Pakistan to freedom, the USSA was organizing and advocating for students.  This year the United States Student Association, the nations oldest and largest student-ran organization with over 2 million student members, celebrates 60 years of student advocacy.

In 1947, the CIA was formed, Prussia was still a country, and Al Capone died.  One-year prior, students from the United States and 37 other countries met in Prague, Czechoslovakia, to launch the International Union of Students (IUS), a confederation of national student unions, thus birthing the United States National Student Association (NSA.) The rich and detailed history of this organization reads better than a suspense adventure drama, including Communist links, CIA connections (see post script), Vietnam War draft deferments, and near financial collapse. However, these highlights are but footnotes to the organization's sincere commitment and belief that –education is a right.


From July 21st to July 26, 2007 the USSA shall host its National Student Congress in Pittsburg, PA on the beautiful campus of the University of Pittsburg.  It is particularly rewarding to be at “Pitt” while they too celebrate—220 years of existence.

During the National Student Congress member schools and SSAs (State-wide Student Associations) from across the country come together to decide on the organization’s national student agenda for the following year. Additionally at Congress, students elect new officers and the board of directors; determine how to strengthen the organization; and decide on the year's action agenda items, the issues that USSA will organize grassroots campaigns around.


CONGRATULATIONS to the United States Student Association for SIXTY long, arduous years of student advocacy!



.::POST SCRIPT::.


Brief Excerpts from A brief History of NSA and USSA by Angus Johnston

“The 1950’s brought financial difficulties, an in 1951 three… staff position were eliminated.  When the CIA made the association a secret offer of large-scale funding the following year, the NSA president accepted.  For the next fifteen years, a clique of ‘witting’ officers and staff worked closely with the CIA, while others in the NSA leadership, particularly those who worked solely in domestic issues were kept in the dark.  CIA-backed foundation underwrote as much as 80% of the total NSA budget some years, and CIA-lined alumni wielded Significant influence in the association.”

“By the end of the 1950's NSA was becoming more politically active, and…open[ed] a civil rights office in Atlanta.  When student sit-ins against segregation began to spread throughout the south in the early 1960’s Curry (the Atlanta-based field coordinator) provided funds and logistical support to the activist and when the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) was organized…she was made a member of its executive committee."