an Update from Campus Progress student Chris Hicks:

Wichita State University’s Campus Progress chapter held two successful and engaging events about student debt on April 16th with a “Student Debt Money Machine” and a panel entitled “Debt Hits Hard.”

At the money machine, students were encouraged to get inside of a glass case filled with fake money.  The air machine would kick on and while the fake money flew around the individual, they tried to gather as much as they could for 15 seconds.  After exiting the cash cube with fake money, it was added to an amount of “student debt”.  Each participant was given a blue Campus Progress nametag with “Hello, my student debt level is $______,” where they could write in how much student debt they accumulated in the money machine.

The second event, the “Debt Hits Hard” panel, was held in the evening with three speakers: Bill Shiebler, National Field Director of the United States Student Association; Lindsey McCluskey, Massachusetts Students Uniting; Pedro De La Torre III, the Advocacy Senior Associate from Campus Progress; and with moderator Tanya Paperny, Network Associate from Campus Progress.

Each speaker stressed the growing need for student debt relief with examples of Sallie Mae and other top companies that make extensive profits through private loans they offer to students.  Pedro De La Torre III presented several shocking facts about the rise of student debt, showing that the price of a college education has skyrocketed just over the past few decades.  Bill Shiebler outlined that while America likes to be the most competitive country in the world, we are one of the few that have invested heavily in education. In fact, because America does not invest in education like other countries, we are becoming less and less competitive intellectually and technologically.  Lindsey McCluskey highlighted that working with Administrators, Boards of Regents, and other decision-makers is how to Massachussetts group is working to make college affordable.

All three delivered animated speeches that encouraged students to speak out against problems with the monetary cost of education, with emphasis on how to make real changes on their own campus.  Finally, they informed the audience of the National Call-In Day that was held on April 21st where students could call in to their state representatives and senators to lobby for budget reconciliation in the first version of the Federal Budget to ensure that more money would go toward higher education and Pell grants.  And just a few days later, on April 29th, the Federal Budget passed in the House and Senate!