University of Montana ScholarWorks at University of Montana Montanan Magazine, 1969-2020 University Relations 5-1-1975 Profiles, May 1975 University of Montana (Missoula, Mont.: 1965-1994) Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.umt.edu/montanan Let us know how access to this document benefits ou.y Recommended Citation University of Montana (Missoula, Mont.: 1965-1994), "Profiles, May 1975" (1975). Montanan Magazine, 1969-2020. 41. https://scholarworks.umt.edu/montanan/41 This Magazine is brought to you for free and open access by the University Relations at ScholarWorks at University of Montana. It has been accepted for inclusion in Montanan Magazine, 1969-2020 by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks at University of Montana. For more information, please contact [email protected]. profilesI Vol. 7, No. 4 University of Montana, Missoula 59801 May 1975 Although Bruce made all major He attributed part of the lobby's decisions, he always asked for our ad­ success to the fact that it stayed away Montana Student Lobby vice.” from emotional issues. According to Nelson, the previous ex­ “ Because in Montana, even a liberal perience Cox and Mitchell had received legislator is somewhat conservative,” is one of national leaders as legislative interns during the 1973 ses­ Irion said. sion, “ allowed for a more effective com­ Irion said the student lobby presents munication with the legislators. That itself as a “ service lobby, we will provide provided us with a better chance of sell­ research and information on any issue to by Carmen Winslow Student lobby co-director from UM, ing them on our various propositions.” any legislator. Over half of the legislators David Irion, a senior in interpersonal The student lobbyists have not been this session have received help from the A most significant bill was passed by communications, said a number of successful in all their efforts. One of lobby as a research function.” legislators had said they believed they the Montana legislature last month their big disappointments during the Assistant lobbyist Mitchell said-she did not have to hide when they saw a which gives students the right to legislative session this year was funding sees the whole idea of lobbying is taking student lobbyist coming as they participate in collective bargaining of the University system. a turn for the better. between public colleges and their believed they had to with certain other “ The University budget wasn't ade­ “ People are starting to believe in what faculties. lobbyists. quately funded,” said assistant lobbyist The bill is the first of this type to be “ We don't wine and dine legislators,” Cox. they are lobbying for. Before now, lob­ adopted in the nation. byists took whatever positions their The interesting thing about the bill is company was paying them to take. Now that it was an original bill, drafted and lobbyists, such as environmental and supported entirely by student lobbyists. student lobbyists, personally believe in Not only does the bill demonstrate the what they are lobbying.” importance of student participation in As a woman in a male-dominated faculty collective bargaining, but it also legislature, Mitchell said she finds her exemplifies the strength and credibility sex no hindrance to her effectiveness as the Montana Student Lobby has gained a lobbyist. since its birth in 1972. “ More women are in the legislature Using a “ low key” approach in now, so its not quite the novelty it used persuading legislators to support the to be and I'm glad about that.” bill, student lobbyist Bruce Nelson, UM She said sometimes legislators are political science graduate, said the pas­ more willing to talk to you if you are a sage of the bill was the result of a “com­ woman. prehensive lobbying effort” by the “ They're more open, they don't feel students. so threatened,” she said. The Montana Student Lobby has been The Montana Student Lobby is about called “one of the most successful three years old. It began in 1972 when student lobbys in the country,” so says students from UM and MSU lobbied at the National Student Lobby which met the Constitutional Convention. in Washington D.C:, recently. The lobby, which also includes Although the Montana lobby is not a representatives from Northern Montana member of the national lobby, it was in­ College in Havre, Eastern Montana vited to send a representative to the College in Billings and Butte's Montana conference because of its success in lob­ College of Mineral Science and bying for student participation in faculty Technology, has been active in each collective bargaining. legislative session since then. “ Montana is a long ways ahead of The student lobby is financed with other state student lobbys,” said Laura student activity fees, with UM and MSU Mitchell, a 1974 UM political science contributing the largest amount of graduate and assistant lobbyist who funds. attended the conference. “ The schools do not have to con­ She referred to the lobby's work in tribute financially to be members of the getting a bill (H.B. 502) passed last year lobby,” Irion said, “ what we really want which established student rights, in­ is their opinions on student—oriented cluding that students who live in issues.” Gov. Thomas • Judge signs House Bill 656, which allows for student dormitories are private residents. Irion and the other lobby co-director, participation in faculty collective bargaining. The bill is a first in the nation “ Other states are still working on bills Rosemary Olson, a senior in social jus­ and its passage was primarily the work of the Montana Student Lobby. From similar to our H.B. 502,” she said. tice at MSU, serve as liasions between left to right are Tom Stockburger, president of the Associated Students of The students lobbied intensely for the campus legislative committees and the University of Montana; Laura Mitchell, assistant legislative another bill passed last year, which the student lobbyist. They decide, with representative of the Lobby; Rep. Duane Johnson, Missoula, chief sponsor allowed for a student to be a voting advice from the legislative committees, of the bill; Gov. Judge; Bruce Nelson, legislative representative of the member of the Board of Regents of exactly what issues the lobby will sup­ Lobby, and David Irion, UM co-director of the Lobby. Not pictured is Randy Higher Education. Montana is now one port. Cox, the Lobby's assistant legislative representative. of the two states in the nation which During the off years, when there is no allows the student member on a regents legislative session, the student lobby board to vote. Irion said, “ at onetime only in the entire He said the student lobby attempted serves a public relations function by Why is the student lobby so session will the student lobby buy a to convince the legislators that cutting providing information to candidates and successful? Mitchell said the student legislator a drink and that is when we the budget would hurt only the students legislators. It also is involved in any lobbyists' ability to listen to and to throw our one reception. It gives the and their parents. decision on student issues made by the reason with the legislators instead of legislators a chance to meet other “ You're not going to hurt the Board of Board of Regents. making demands has been one reason students involved in the student lobby Regents or Commissioner of Higher Nelson summed up his feelings about for its success.' who aren't in Helena everyday.” Education Larry Pettit, you're only hurt­ the student lobby emphasizing the need The student lobby does not take the Irion said the reception is paid for by ing the quality of our education. That for it to continue. aggressive, pushy approach that is taken Nelson out of his own salary. was the main thrust of all our “ I think,” Nelson said, “ that it is essen­ by a number of professional lobbyists. “ I had some reservations about the arguments,” he Said. tial in the future for students to continue “ I don't attempt high-pressure, arm- reception,” Nelson said, “ because it The lobby focused on points of the the student lobby effort, what goes on in twisting tactics,” Nelson said. He said he gave myself and students the chance to University budget that affect the Helena in the legislative process has a believes in being honest and “admitting meet legislators because we had certain interests of the students, such as work- direct effect on the quality of education when you are wrong, but not backing financial resources available to provide study proposals and funding for the UM we receive and quality of life that we as down when you are right. for the reception. library. Montanans are going to have. We must “ If you pay it straight with them “ This type of thing can be abused. I Besides drafting and supporting bills, present the student viewpoint, not only (legislators) they'll play it straight with see it done by certain lobbyists to certain the student lobby was active also in the for our benefit today as students, but for you.” legislators day after day. It's com­ defeat of some bills. One bill would have our future as citizens of this state as The student lobby was well received monplace for some lobbyists to take allowed for tax credit for contributions well.” by the legislators. “ I could sit down and certain legislators out to lunch, to dinner to private colleges, including out-of- With the 1975 legislative sessiqn end­ talk and they would listen to me,” or for drinks. The legislators are un­ state school. ing last month, student lobbyist Bruce Nelson said, “there was no antagonism.” doubtedly going to be influenced by “ It was unconstitutional,” Nelson Nelson has returned to UM as a graduate He said the majority of legislators feel that type of activity.” v said.