In celebration of Ball State's second annual "Raise Your Voice" Day, students gathered at the Indiana State House Monday afternoon to voice their opinions on important political issues.
"There are a lot of hot topics being debated in our nation right now," said J.R. Jamison, advisor of the Office of Leadership and Service Learning. "This generation of students on our campus is obviously more driven to get involved and to raise their voice."
At the State House, five Ball State students and about 100 students from other universities throughout Indiana, including the University of Indianapolis, Indiana State University and the University of Evansville, spoke out about tuition caps and gay marriage, among other topics.
"With regard to tuition caps, students want to know where their money is going," Jamison said.
Jamison said students also stressed the importance of not signing an amendment that would prevent gays and lesbians to marry, emphasizing that no one should be denied his or her basic constitutional rights.
While students differed in their views toward Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court case that legalized abortion, they all felt it was also important to keep the choice out there for women, Jamison said.
During the assembly, students also had the opportunity to tour the State House and to listen to State Rep. Tiny Adams, D-Muncie, speak about getting involved in the community.
"He encouraged students to urge the legislature to take issues they felt passionate about to the House," Jamison said. "It was enlightening to show politicians that students do care about these issues."
Ball State will be hosting several more events this week to celebrate "Raise Your Voice Student Week of Action," Marisa Fuoti, co-advisor to the National Communication Association Student Club, said.
The student club will be hosting a blood drive Wednesday to collect 100 pints of blood for the Ball Memorial Hospital Blood Bank. A national teleconference Thursday will also address important political issues among college students.
On Friday, the club will also conduct a drive-up voter registration, where students can register to vote from the convenience of their car, Fuoti said.
"This week is designed to make students who are not normally vocal about these issues to have that opportunity," Fuoti said.
"When students don't take advantage of the opportunity to get involved, they have little room to complain or feel they don't have a voice," she said. "Students really can make an impact on the decisions made in the university community, the local community and even the nation, and this week will give them the chance to do that."
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