The student government Legislative Affairs Committee discussed student issues Monday they would like to present at a UW System student "lobby day" at the Capitol.
Associated Students of Madison Legislative Affairs Chair Hannah Somers said the United Council of UW Students will select three issues to discuss with legislators this spring at the lobby day.
One issue the committee decided to present to the council would ask the state to refrain from punishing individuals who seek medical attention because of illegal actions, such as an underage student who goes to the hospital after drinking too much.
"I think that there are a lot of arguments we could make, and I think we could probably convince a couple people to at least introduce a bill," committee member Sam Seering said. "It would definitely catch people's attention."
Committee members also said it was important to address making higher education more accessible with legislators.
The committee discussed advocating raising the Wisconsin Higher Education Grant, a publicly funded need-based aid program, as tuition increases.
"It's a more specific proposal on a clear cut issue than the problem of college being unaffordable for a lot of people in Wisconsin," committee member Beth Huang said.
"It's more solution-based rather than problem-based."
Also related to college affordability, the committee said students could ask legislators to implement a statewide "work/study program" that would allow students who need financial aid access to work to help pay for college.
Huang said she thinks the program would appeal to the conservative governor and members of the state legislature.
-Anna Duffin
