Students representing Vanderbilt Student Government attended the SEC in D.C. conference organized by Texas A&M University earlier this month.
The event brought together student leaders from several Southeastern Conference schools to discuss issues facing higher education. The trip also allowed SEC students to visit with congressional representatives.
Vanderbilt students Amisha Mittal, Ari Sasson and Griffin Klein met with members of Tennessee’s congressional delegation, including Sen. Marsha Blackburn, Sen. Bill Hagerty, Rep. Mark Green, and Rep. Andy Ogles.
They lobbied for increased federal funding for university research and supported increasing the number of student visas allowed, so Vanderbilt can recruit and collaborate internationally. The students also discussed a need for more funding for mental health resources for college–aged students, as well as resources to end food and housing insecurity on college campuses.
“We were proud to raise these concerns while acknowledging that Vanderbilt University has incredible resources devoted to each of these issues—leading the way in the SEC,” Sasson said.