Campus mental health appropriations project
SAC'S MAIN ADVOCACY PROJECT FOR THE 2021-22 ACADEMIC YEAR WAS SECURING GREATER LEGISLATIVE APPROPRIATIONS FOR AND THEREBY EXPAND CAMPUS MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL YOUR HELP WITH IT THIS YEAR!
WHAT WE DID LAST YEAR:
- Collected over 50 student stories about campus mental health experiences, leading the U of I Board of Trustees to include mental health appropriations as a pillar of this year's budget ask
- Facilitated relationship-building meetings with students and key higher education advocates in the Illinois General Assembly
- Hosted 8 Student Lobby Days with members of the House and Senate Higher Education Appropriation Subcommittees to ensure the student voice is heard in the appropriations conversation
- Filed witness slips and an official written statement in support of the U of I System's Budget Ask which includes mental health appropriations
- Discussed the advocacy efforts around the budget ask and mental health appropriations with local media outlets
- Led comprehensive lobby trainings for student advocates
- Organized regular email and phone-banking sessions for students
- Tabled across campus to garner support for the budget ask
- Received the Outstanding RSO Award at the Social Justice Awards!
- Secured an overall budget increase for the U of I system, including increased appropriations for mental health!