Fall 2022 Washington General Assembly Recap

What is the Washington Student Association?

Founded in 1982, the Washington Student Association (WSA) is a student-led organization that aims to represent all students attending higher education institutions in Washington State. The organization has been incredibly successful at inducing change on the legislative level to benefit students across Washington State. Examples of those bills include but not limited to: the Washington College Grant, the Undocumented Student Loan Program, and the DREAM Act. In the last year alone, thirteen bills that benefit students were passed thanks to the Washington Student Association's efforts.

Twice a year, the Washington Student Association hosts the Washington General Assembly to approve the organization's legislative agenda as well as host workshops for students from attending campuses.

For more information on the Washington Student Association, visit their website: https://www.wastudents.org/

What is our role in the Washington Student Association?

The University of Washington - Tacoma is a member of the WSA along fifteen other college campuses in the state. ASUWT has the opportunity to create our own proposals to add to the WSA legislative agenda as well as vote on other campus' proposals. Based on our enrollment numbers for 2022, UWT was awarded five votes at the Fall 2022 General Assembly. During legislative sessions, ASUWT lobbies at the capitol in Olympia in cooperation with the WSA and other member campuses.

Members of the 2022-2023 ASUWT Executive Board are also representatives on the WSA Executive Committee. ASUWT President Jai'Shon Berry serves as Vice President of Diversity and ASUWT Director of Finance Jasmine Davis serves as Vice President of Finance for the WSA.

What did we vote to be on Washington Student Association's legislative agenda?

Using our five votes, ASUWT voted in favor of adding the following to the Washington Student's Association legislative agenda:

• Accessible childcare on campus
• Student employment and funding opportunities for undocumented students
• Demand for campus divestments from fossil fuel
• Capital funds allocation for campus housing and dining
• Tuition wavers for indigenous students
• Free menstrual hygiene products in all college bathrooms
• WA BIPOC scholarship fund
• Ability to adjust gender identity on transcripts to reflect current identity
• Washington Bridge Grant