Student Government Association recently joined many Florida colleges and universities in Tallahassee representing the issues that mattered most to students. Career Services recently caught up with the Downtown Vice President (and President elect for the upcoming school year), Alexis Clavizzao. Below is her take on the issues and the impact local schools have had.

“On March 5th, I, along with my fellow SGA student leaders, had the pleasure of meeting with Representative Dwight Dudley and Senator Jeff Brandes. Our meetings were centered around a few of the bills that were in legislation. These bills included ridding baccalaureate programs here at SPC and 27 other state institutions like it, which we lobbied in opposition. As well as allowing citizens to exercise their Second Amendment right on college/university campuses.

Prior to traveling to Tallahassee for the rally, a poll was sent amongst all SPC students, asking whether they are for or against guns on campus. The results spoke loud and clear — 64% against, 40% in favor, 6% unsure. With these results, we lobbied against guns on campus at the capital.

Rep. Dudley’s views were very much in line with ours as far as keeping firearms away from higher education institutions, and respecting our campuses as a sacred place of learning. And he agreed wholeheartedly that the baccalaureate programs (in which over 12% of SPC students are enrolled) should not only continue but, that they also provide our communities with better opportunities and our local economy with great prosperity!

In contrast, our meeting with Senator Brandes provoked very passionate discussion due to his support for the ‘guns on campus’ bill. Students, standing shoulder to shoulder, piled into his office to offer facts and concerns about the bill on behalf on the college. However, Sen. Brandes stuck to his guns.  

After two successful meetings, we left the capital confident that the student voice was heard. And upon  returning to Saint Petersburg, we learned that USF did some rallying of their own, slowing down the bill even further, and even contributing to its death on the floor.  And although we can’t guarantee that the topic won’t arise again, we definitely made a lasting impression as far as where we stand!

As a political science major, this purposeful trip to Tallahassee added fuel to my burning passion for politics and government, and provided me with a boost of reassurance that I’m headed down the right path towards the right major – and ultimately the right career!”