Students will have the opportunity to talk with their legislators at Higher Education Day at 9 a.m. on Feb. 10 at the Oklahoma State Capitol.

OCCC will be attending the event and Erin Logan, student life director, said students should get involved.

Legislators will be available for students from 9 a.m. until around 1 p.m. Then,  at 2 p.m., a group session will start in the meeting room.

Students have a voice on matters like funding for higher education, and they need to use it.

Sharing their experiences firsthand gives lawmakers a fresh perspective.

“You’re here, you’re the students. I’m paid to be here, so I can look at it from an employment standpoint.

It’s important to me because of my job and because of what I do, but for you as a student, that impact is even greater, because you’re able to tell a legislator ‘I’m a voting member in your district.

I go to college. I pay my taxes. I do what I’m supposed to do, so help me have a brighter future.’

“That carries a lot of weight,” she said.

OCCC also attended the event last year, but Logan said students have the option to be even more involved this year. Transportation to and from the capitol will be available on the hour, every hour.

“You can get on the bus here at 9 o’clock, get to the capitol and if you want to leave at 10 o’clock, you can get on the bus and come back,” Logan said.

Packets are provided for those who are attending and include maps, talking points, a schedule and a list of legislators.

Logan said students can still sign up to attend by emailing her with their name, mailing address, phone number, OCCC ID number and OCCC email address.

Packets will be distributed through the Executive Vice President’s office and can be picked up from Aislinn Burrows, she said.

For more information about Higher Education Day, visit http://www.okhighered.org, or contact the Executive Vice President’s Office at 405-682-7879.

To sign up, contact Student Life at 405-682-7523 or visitwww.occc.edu/studentlife/index.html.

To contact Lauren Daniel, email onlineeditor@occc.edu

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