The state of the (student) union

Higher education is "on the brink of fundamental change," but it is students' responsibility to rally behind needed reforms.

That was the message United States Student Association President Gregory Cendana delivered in his State of the Student Union Address on Wednesday. Cendana lauded proposals to reform federal student loans and financial aid but said increased student activism is essential to further success.

Cendana emphasized that continued support from campuses across the country is necessary to win the struggle for college affordability, alongside support from the Obama administration, which thrives on youth involvement and proposed a 7.5 percent increase in federal education spending.

"With a president in office who wants to lead the world in post-secondary graduation rates and a a new level of student power unmatched in its organizing capacity or political influence, never before has the goal to make education a right been so within our grasp," he said. "But the moment is brief and our action is required."

Cendana encouraged students to lobby their representatives for legislation that would remove financial burdens and "make education a right." He said students should pressure the U.S. Senate to approve the student loan reform package that would direct more than $80 billion to need-based aid, community colleges, minority-serving institutions and programs to raise the graduation rate.

David Branfield, a sophomore English major and a member of MaryPIRG — a student lobbying organization at the university — rallied on Capitol Hill last September to push the spending bill through the House of Representatives.

"The bill is something that will specifically benefit the student population," he said. "While Congress is the one who is gonna move it through, it's the students who should be out there trying to work for it."

Cendana referred twice to the DREAM Act, a bill that would allow non-citizen minors to attend college and achieve legal residency. The act has stagnated in Congress since 2001, but Cendana said it is a necessary step toward making higher education available to everyone.

Though Cendana pointed to several issues facing college students, such as the diminishing value of Pell Grants and the poor job market, he said opportunities are ripe to influence lawmakers in their favor.

"It would be irresponsible for students in the Washington area to not get involved," Branfield said. "It feels good meeting other activists and getting out there and having lawmakers hear the student voice."

Cendana emphasized that idea throughout his address, urging students to "unite to define this decade of student power."

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