With the current presidential administration cutting the advertising budget, millions of people are unaware that the 2018 enrollment period to be covered under the Affordable Care Act (otherwise known as Obamacare) began November 1, and runs through December 15.
In partnership with the Political Science department, the 771 Alliance made sure Southern University remained in the know, holding an information session in the atrium of Higgins Hall last Wednesday morning.
The presentation featured District 67 State Representative Patricia Smith, who explained the importance of healthcare to college students.
“If you are in an age of need for healthcare, you need to pay attention,” Smith told the audience.
One of the points mentioned was that until age 26, students could remain on their parents’ health insurance plan.
She also spoke on how the current administration has failed to repeal the ACA through legislative means, so in an attempt to reduce support, funding has been cut from advertising budgets.
With millions of Americans relying on Obamacare, Smith urged everyone to spread the word to make sure as many families are enrolled by the deadline as possible.
This event served as an appetizer in the eyes of the 771 Alliance, one of the many student organizations on campus. Originally known as the Young Democrats, before briefly existing as the Democratic Society, their vision is to help the student body rejuvenate an ‘appetite of learning’ about politics, civics, and the environment.
Former adjunct biology professor, Angel Bradford, still works with the 771 Alliance, and is excited about the opportunities it presents. “We’re trying to fill a lifestyle on campus similar to our hay day, when Southern was very active, very engaged, and the students did that on their own.”
SGA Sophomore class senator and Political Science major, Caleb Holmes, serves as president over the organization.
In addressing what led to the club’s rebranding, Holmes shared how he wanted to transition from being focused solely on elections and campaigns.
“We all got excited about Bernie for a second, but that’s the easy stuff,” Bradford added, “We all got excited about Obama. [However,] presidential elections are not the only things that could propel us forward.”
Outside of years where there is a presidential election, the club saw a noticeable drop in involvement around campus. Holmes hopes a revamped emphasis on keeping students informed will spark change.
Holmes further explained the mindset behind the name change.
The numbers ‘771’ are the first three telephone numbers of every phone on Southern’s campus. “Let’s take something that is built from Southern, and align ourselves also with the students.”
Holmes defended the current lack of turnout from students at political events held on campus, understanding the difficulty students face attempting to be involved in politics on top of work and school. He said he has spoken to hundreds of students on campus who have had opinions on campus issues, but a delay or lack of response turns them off from becoming more active.
Junior Political Science major, Malik Smith, who was also in attendance at the event, had a different perspective. “It’s very important to educate oneself, you can’t look to other people to educate you.”
He credited Rep. Smith for what he called a ‘new, very important, and fresh message’, but says it is up to the students to take heed. “If you don’t pay attention, something can happen and it’ll go over your head. Some students don’t even know we have a runoff [election] coming November 18.”
The 771 Alliance has plans in the works for voter registration drives, weekly campus briefing sessions, and campus cleanups. They are actively recruiting new members and seeking future partnerships and projects.
For more information, contact them via email at [email protected]. They are also available through social media, on Facebook and Twitter.
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Built from Southern, Aligned with Students: 771 Alliance Seeks to Spread Political, Civic Awareness
November 7, 2017
Representative Patricia Smith addressing the audience gathered to learn more about the importance of healthcare in the atrium of Higgins Hall last Wednesday, Nov.1 (James Eaglin, Jr./DIGEST)
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