Local News Coverage on a National Issue

In case you aren’t in Harrisonburg, the following story was run by local news station WHSV 3 on June 27, 2011 about Pat Watral‘s involvement in the #DoWeHaveADealYet campaign as well as the conference call he participated in with President Obama and White House leaders. There is also a video link of the story you can find here.

As the debt debate continues in Washington, concern is rising for folks across the country who are worried about the consequences of default. At James Madison University, Student Government President Pat Watral is concerned about his student loans.

“Honestly, I first thought of myself and my brother’s student loans that we’re taking out just to attend college, and God forbid that something doesn’t happen, and the interest rates on our loans skyrocket. That would be disastrous for our whole family,” says Watral.

It’s likely intrest would skyrocket if a deal isn’t reached in time, so Watral teamed up with other SGA presidents to take their concerns straight to the top in a conference call with President Obama. The message was sympathetic because the SGA presidents understand that democracy isn’t always a fast process.

“We elect people because we want them to lead. We don’t want them to talk to us forever and ever and ever when we literally have a ticking clock,” says Watral.

It’s not just student loans, Watral is also worried about the loans taken by the university for construction projects. He says he thinks Obama took their non-partisan message to heart. The President thanked them for speaking up for what they cared about.

“By all of us student body presidents standing up and being engaged, it definitely caught their attention,” says Watral.

Special thanks to reporter Janelle Lilley for taking an interest in the effort.

© Copyright 2011 WHSV / Gray Television Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Presidental Phone Call Part II

Yesterday I joined a conference call between other student leaders and senior White House advisers, plus President Obama himself.  Our topic of conversation was the stalemated negotiations in Washington and the looming debt crisis.

 

We meant not to add our voices to the continuous babble about one plan vs another, or one party vs another. But instead to urge all leaders to cut it out and to start making tough decisions, it’s why we put them there.

The President seemed to get our message- that we’re not interested in the political game anymore- we want to see a country headed for financial stability, and that we know it won’t be easy for anyone.

 

How to get there? Agreeing on something seems to be Washington’s problem… if only our leaders had the courage to BE THE CHANGE.

 

Help us get the word out- say “DO SOMETHING!”Contact your rep or senator
https://writerep.house.gov​/writerep/welcome.shtml
http://www.senate.gov/gene​ral/contact_information/se​nators_cfm.cfm

And visit http://www.dowehaveadealye​t.com/ to keep tabs on and share the student movement. Join the conversation on Twitter #DoWeHaveADealYet.

-Pat

Presidential Phone Call

This afternoon the members of the Do We Have A Deal Yet campaign will participate in a conference call with Senior White House Officials, as well as the President himself.

Student Body President Pat Watral will be on this call and may have the ability to ask your questions about the situation.

Submit questions via the blog or Twitter @Pat_Watral #DoWeHaveADealYet by 11:15 am EST.  Check back for an update!

#DoWeHaveADealYet?

Student body presidents from across the country are asking: ‘Do We Have A Deal Yet?‘ including JMU’s own Pat Watral. 

The campaign is geared toward “asking President Obama and legislative leaders to come to a consensus on raising the debt ceiling, while also supporting the Gang of Six’s deficit deal” according to ABC News. 

The Do We Have A Deal Yet members sent out a letter to legislative officials with a clear message:

“While you may disagree over which party shoulders more blame for our current situation, one thing is certain – young people will shoulder the consequences of gridlock during a time that requires bold action.”

Much of the support seen for this campaign comes from school leaders hoping for achieving economic stability by looming graduation dates for many.  University of Georgia’s student body president Mallory Davis sees this as an opportunity to connect with campuses across the nation as well as other school representatives for the greater good of the country.

This grassroots campaign came from conversations at Georgetown University, and within a week the Student Association of the University was involved and gathering support.

 As a University we have a responsibility to become involved in issues that our generation will see the potentially detrimental consequences of.  No matter your major, class standing or political affiliation, know the issue and share your opinion.

Join the conversation on Twitter at #DoWeHaveADealYet? @BarackObama and @SpeakerBoehner.

A Word from the President

Hey JMU!  I hope the summer months are treating you all well. For those brave souls who are still pushing through Junemester… keep your head up it’s almost done!! To the incoming freshman class, summer springboard has begun! This is truly the start your own Madison Experience.  Get pumped!! Your orientation staff is ready and excited to meet you.  Waiting for move-in day is going to feel like FOREVER. But hey, it’s so worth it.

Since class has been out, I’ve been busy planning for the next academic year:

I stayed in Harrisonburg after spring semester to get a leg up on the duties of being a new student body president, and I figured I would take a few classes while I was at it.  It was nice being on campus in the summer when it wasn’t bustling with busy people.  My favorite part was taking evening runs from my house to the quad, where I could enjoy the view from Wilson steps (and the sprinklers).

One of the first things I did was attend a conference at JMU where I had the amazing opportunity to mingle with leaders of other amazing organizations like Student Ambassadors, Panhellenic, International Students Association, Campus Assault Response, Outriggers, and the list goes on.  It was a blast meeting so many influential student leaders, as well as super important for me to learn about their respective organizations.

Maymester for me was also spent making the rounds of the University administration.  Before or after classes I met with great people from Public Safety, Student Affairs, Public Affairs, Orientation, Fraternity & Sorority Life, Substance Abuse Prevention, etc. (shout out to SAP director Paige Hawkins and her new baby Miller Thomas!!)

I carried with me a message to expect a very consistent, involved relationship with the student body next year concerning the decision making process at JMU and it was well received.

This summer I have also made it a side project of mine to become as well versed as I can in not only JMU history, but also of the life and legacy of our namesake- J. Maddy himself.  Right before I left the ‘Burg to return home for the summer, I spent many hours in the Special Collections section of Carrier Library, where I was able to do some really interesting research about the founding and development of our incredible University.  Here is some of my summer reading!

I recently returned home to New Jersey for the better part of the summer.  I’ve resumed my summer job across the lake at Budd Lake Beach where I am the lifeguard supervisor.  It’s no big time internship, or study abroad, but I can swim to work and I never have to wear shoes.

In my free time and days off, I plan on reading the stack of books next to bed, mountain biking with dad, and volunteering with local EMS.

We have such an amazing community here at JMU; everyday you all give meaning to our motto- Be the Change. You guys honestly make me so proud to represent you.  Brennan Trick is a rising junior Justice Studies major.  Here she is, Being the Change this summer by interning at an orphanage in Cusco, Peru! While there, she is also working in a boy’s juvenile home teaching English twice a week and then in the evenings, she spends her time in the children’s library.

Thanks for reading- please feel free to use the communication thingys on this blog by commenting or something! Where are you studying abroad/interning/ working/volunteering this summer? What’s on your summer reading list? What’s the reason you CAN’T WAIT to get back to JMU?

Be the Change,

Pat