This post was written by Minnesota Student Network member Casey Wojtalewicz about his meeting with Senator Klobuchar during this summer recess. 

Yesterday, I and 6 other Minnesotans met at Amy Klobuchar’s Minneapolis office to seek her support for a pledge against any bill revoking the Environmental Protection Agency’s ability to regulate CO2 emissions and/or offering more massive subsidies to the coal industry. Across the country, hundreds of other citizens like us have been taking advantage of the Congressional recess to contact their elected officials at home and push them to take strong stances on the side of the environment, health, jobs, and innovation.

Senator Klobuchar herself was unable to meet with us due to other events in the state, however, we had a great session with her Outreach Director and environmental advisor (among other issues), Kelly Scanlan. Kelly heard our stories and concerns, and she agreed with our views on most everything. Senator Klobuchar’s “bottom line” approach to energy is that we need to reduce emissions. Unfortunately, because the Senator was not present, we could not get a pledge that she would go on the record to state her opposition to more coal subsidies and an end to EPA regulation of CO2. We persisted in asking for such a pledge, but Kelly could not speak for the Senator. She also stated that Senator Klobuchar is awaiting a draft of the Senate energy bill before making any public statements. For these issues in particular, Kelly said, Senator Klobuchar will first have to ascertain they are areas of concern in the bill.

Overall, we left the meeting with an understanding that Senator Klobuchar is on our side for these issues. We made it clear to Kelly that we will continue to stand up for these issues, and we expect Senator Klobuchar to do the same. On such an important issue, we cannot stand for soft-spoken leadership or watered down bills. A line has been drawn, and it is time for our elected officials to hold it.

Last weekend, Campus Progress Student Representatives gathered in Washington, DC for the first annual Campus Progress National Student Network Retreat.

Students met in DC to receive training on starting issue campaigns, recruitment and retention, planning events, grassroots lobbying, utilizing the media, and more. They also started planning some great ideas for the 08-09 school year in issue-based committees, which are new to the Campus Progress Student Network, and in regional break-out sessions.

Student Reps headed back to Campus on Sunday ready to fight for social change. They are working on issues as different as climate change, capital punishment, college affordability, poverty, civic engagement, and LGBT rights (to name a few), but are united by a strong vision of better future and a commitment to fight for justice, equality, and opportunity.

Check out some pictures from the retreat:

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If you would like to get involved in the student network, click here!

Want strengthen the progressive movement on your campus, bring engaging speakers and films to jumpstart dialogue, and engage in activism on local and national issues?

Then join the Campus Progress Student Network for 2008-2009! We’re currently still accepting applications to join the team of Student Representatives from the across the country who work with the staff of Campus Progress to advance progressive causes at the local level and make their voices heard on the issues they care most about.

***  New deadline! Applications are now due by Wednesday September 3rd, so click here to learn more and to apply. ***

Want strengthen the progressive movement on your campus, bring engaging speakers and films to jumpstart dialogue, and engage in activism on local and national issues?

Then join the Campus Progress Student Network for 2008-2009!  We’re currently still accepting applications to join the 100-student team of Student Representatives from the across the country who work with the staff and resources of Campus Progress to advance progressive causes at the local level and make their voices heard on the issues they care most about.

Ok, that might be a bit of a stretch, but some of this year's Campus Progress National Conference Award Winners did get some good press.

For example, you might have read about Justin Elliott, who won the CampusProgress.org Contributor of the Year award for his inquisitive interview with the Executive Director of a Pro-Israel lobby group. 

Or about Chrissy Elles, the superstar organizer of the UCSB Climate Change Alternative Spring Break who won the Best Organizing of an Event award. 

Nick Owens and Vanessa Rozier stood out by emerging in an India Post article that praised their 'Black is Beautiful' event as a model for building a progressive movement.

Our Best Publication awardee, Cipher made it on an Oklahoman news site thanks to it's editor Matt Elmore who is originally from Norman.

Last but absolutely not least, our very own Campus Progress Student Representative of the Year, Adrian Shanker became (almost) a celebrity in New York websites for his great work year-round organizing events, building movements and speaking on panels.

Once again, congratulations to all of this year's award winners. Keep it up and let's turn this world into one we are proud to be living in.