Protect YOUR right to Advocacy

|News
There is currently a bill at the State Capitol, HB2169, which intends to limit students’ freedom of speech. It would make it illegal for the university to collect fees for a student organization if any of the funds are to be used for political advocacy. The problem is that student organizations, such as GPSA, participate in advocacy to advance legislative efforts that are beneficial to graduate students (e.g. legislation to increase research funding or create a safe campus environment) and fight against efforts that are detrimental to students (e.g. legislation to limit freedom of speech). 

By limiting the funds that student orgs can use for advocacy purposes, this bill will significantly constrain the ability of students to advocate for themselves. The bill passed on committee this past week with a 7-4 vote this week. The bill was drafted in retaliation to students’ support of an initiative that intended to create more funding for higher education.

 

Act NOW!

You can help by contacting the following elected officials via phone or email and asking them to vote NO on HB 2169. You can help keep this bill from advancing to a full House vote.

 

 

Rep. Robson (Chair) (602) 926-5549 – brobson@azleg.gov

Rep. Gray (Vice Chair) – (602) 926-5993 – rgray@azleg.gov

Rep Farnsworth (602) 926-5735 – Efarnsworth@azleg.gov

Rep. Gowan –  (602) 926-3312 - Dgowan@Azleg.gov

Rep. Mesnard – (602) 926-4481 - jmesnard@azleg.gov

Speaker Tobin – (602) 926-5172 - atobin@azleg.gov

 

Here is an example you can use:

 

My name is __________ and I’m a constituent and student at ASU. Please note that

I would like Rep.____ to vote no on HB2169.

 

This bill’s only intent is to target student organizations, which is unconstitutional. The bill itself is tarnished by the retaliation that inspired it. This is a free speech issue.

 

I ask you not to eliminate this voice for public university students in Arizona. This bill would remove this voice, which thousands of students rely on for protection of their rights and advancement of their education. This is a controversial decision, which is based off one allegation of misconduct. Let’s focus on more important priorities than eliminating students’ right to advocate for themselves.