MAP Watch: Campaign to Save MAP Grant Kicks into High Gear

By: Alma Campos

Posted: 9/7/09

As state lawmakers prepare to finalize the Illinois budget on Oct. 14, universities across the state are left with little time to campaign for the restoration of the Monetary Award Program - money that over 3,000 students at CSU will no longer receive in 2010 if the grant is permanently cut.

But members of CSU's new advocacy campaign are hoping to reverse the cuts. The group is building an internal committee that will hold weekly meetings involving administrators, student government officials and other student organizations and college departments.

Other initiatives designed to restore the MAP award include communication strategies such as implementing a letter writing campaign to the governor and state legislators; phonebanking and email messaging. An Internet campaign will also be developed enabling students to voice their concerns online and post interactive communication to the Web.

Chris Williams, director of legislative and external relations, along with other coordinators will be working on ways to increase awareness of the campaign among the student population. Kiosks will be set up around campus to enable students to send letters to state leaders immediately.

In addition, the campaign will be inviting community business leaders to assist with phonebanking and other projects such as sending personal letters to legislators asking them to reject education cuts. At CSU, the cuts could mean a reduction in funds of more than $1,600 for students taking 12 credit hours and $2,100 less for students taking 15 credit hours or more.