One student can make a difference. Political Science Sophomore Darelis Ortiz-Vega attended Legislation Day on March 12, 2019 with President Jeffery Senese, Special Secretary to the President Molly-Dodd Adams, and Instructor of Political Science Mr. Frank Orlando. Legislation Day is held in Tallahassee every year.
The purpose of this Legislative Day was to lobby for the Independent Colleges and Universities of Florida (ICUF). ICUF consists of 30 schools, which are private institutions in Florida that are part of the program.
Different students are nominated as fellows every year to represent their universities at this Legislation Day and lobby for the EASE Grant, which is a grant recieved by Florida residents who attend any ICUF institution. One of the fellows this year for Saint Leo University was Ortiz-Vega. As a nominated fellow for the ICUF Program, Ortiz-Vega went through a training process to learn some statistics and facts about ICUF and EASE Grant in order to prepare for the Legislative Day.
“In this day-long training session, I became informed about the number of students who receive the EASE Grant, which schools are part of the ICUF program, and other important statistics in order to explain how big of an impact this Grant has on students who are Florida residents to the legislators,” said Ortiz-Vega. “Additionally, I had to write letters to our Florida legislators to thank them for their support of the EASE Grant, formerly known as FRAG (Florida Resident Access Grant), and ask for their continued support in this upcoming legislative session.”
She explained further how at the Legislative Day the fellows are able to lobby on behalf of the ICUF.
“In short, this event is an opportunity to talk to our state’s representatives to tell them how much this grant means to us personally, and to the students that we represent. The goal is to talk to as many legislators as possible who will vote on this grant to encourage them to support it and sign off on it when they see it on the table,” said Ortiz-Vega. “The EASE Grant is only applicable to private universities, and therefore we are the only schools that are able to lobby for an increase of that Grant or for it to remain the same.”
The Grant for last year was settled at $3,500. This was Orlando’s fifth ICUF day in Tallahassee, and he serves as the advisor for Saint Leo student attendees. He mentioned the influence that lobbying has on the legislators’ decision to increase or decrease funding of the grant over the years.
“We are usually able to at least keep funding where it’s at or increase it. It depends on the state budget’s situation, but we’re hoping to keep funding at at least 3,500 for the upcoming year. Right now, the House committee is proposing a cut, while the Senate is proposing to keep funding where it’s at. I hope students that value EASE write their legislators and thank them for their continued support while emphasizing how important the grant is. The process should wrap up in the next month or so,” said Orlando.
Ortiz-Vega who is a part of the 3+3 Accelerated Law School Program, along with the Political Honor Society and other organization, mentioned her expectations of the Legislative Day and the importance of the EASE Grant to her.
“Before the event, I really wished to be honest and genuine when speaking to the legislators so that they could see how much this grant does mean to me. In the words that I shared with them, I told them that this grant allows me to attend Saint Leo,” said Ortiz-Vega. “Coming from a family that has had financial hardships all of our life, this grant is one of the reasons why I am able to attend a university at all. I am extremely appreciative, and let them know that they are not supporting the EASE Grant in vain. Many hard working students benefit from this Grant.”
Ortiz was able to make an impact by talking to various legislators by telling her story, and she explained that at the event, Senese, Adams, Orlando, and herself, who were together for a majority of the time, worked together as well to make an impact with lobbying.
“We scheduled appointments with the legislators beforehand so that we could come to their office and speak to them personally and privately. While in their offices, Senese and/or Frank told them about ICUF Schools and other statistics that they found relevant, then I told the legislators my story,” she said. ““When I was telling my story to the legislators, I came to the realization that where one comes from does not at all determine where one is going. I would’ve never believed you if you told me that I would be where I am today, especially at the state’s Capitol representing thousands of my peers and my University.”
Ortiz-Vega really encapsulated her overall experience at the Legislative Day.
“Overall, it was such an unforgettable experience because Senese, Orlando, and Molly made it such a fun and easygoing day. They calmed my nerves and encouraged me to not be afraid, to just say what my heart felt it should say. I have to give them props for being so supportive before, during, and after the legislative session. They were my anchors.”
Ortiz-Vega really appreciated her experience and she encourages other Saint Leo students to engage in this event for next year as well.
“I would absolutely, hands down, without a doubt recommend the next student(s) to accept the nomination to such a wonderful event and experience. I learned more about the legislation in one day than I did in years of taking classes about the government. Not only that, I learned a lot about myself in one day. Those two days were days full of many divine realizations that I now carry in my heart forever,” said Ortiz-Vega.
Orlando also advises students to participate in this event. However, the students are generally selected from the political science majors, and they must be Florida residents to be eligible. He also encouraged students to write to their legislators and emphasize the importance of the grant as another way to make an impact on the EASE Grant.
