It only takes a single pebble to start a rockslide.
Likewise, it only takes one voice to make a change. The SLCC Student Association helps students make a difference and find their voice, both on and off campus.
“There’s something for everyone to get involved [in], you just have to find it,” said Peter Moosman, Executive Vice President of the Student Senate at SLCC. “And when you find something that you’re passionate about, run with it.”
For Moosman, that something is politics.
“I love politics,” he said. “I’m a political science major. And this position is the most politics you can get in a student association.”
As part of his office, Moosman serves as the liaison between the Faculty Senate and the Student Association, making sure everyone is on the same page. He also plans and runs all the meetings for the Student Senate, working with the senators to resolve any concerns brought to them by students.
“The most recent [concern] is the UTA passes, going from free to a monthly or semester charge. That’s the biggest one as of the past month or two,” he said. “One that comes up constantly is the tobacco use on campus. Another is the Green Initiative, like recycling programs. That kind of stuff. Those are some bigger ones.”
When he’s not helping things run smoothly on campus, Moosman can often be found up at the State Capitol.
“I’m a citizen lobbyist,” he said. “I go up to the capitol and talk to legislators. I am working on starting a nonprofit.”
Moosman’s nonprofit is called Project:1200. It is named for the 1,200 people who die every day from tobacco-related diseases.
“It’s a health promotion/tobacco prevention youth program,” he said. “I try to stick with high school age kids because that’s when they’re making a lot of big decisions on who they want to be. It’s when a lot of kids start smoking.”
Through Project:1200, Moosman organizes lobby days for the youth to come talk with legislators, rallies to promote tobacco awareness, and even had a candlelight vigil to commemorate those killed by tobacco every year.
“We got 1300 candles and blanketed the steps of the state capitol,” she said. “It was amazing.”
Not everyone has to start a nonprofit organization in order to make a difference. Students can make a difference simply by telling their student government officers about any concerns they have. No matter how big or small the concern, the Student Association will work with students to make a change.
“If you have something worth saying, say it,” said Moosman. “If you have a concern, voice it. Because nothing’s going to change if you don’t do something about it.”
More information about Moosman’s nonprofit, Project:1200, is available at projecttwelvehundred.blogspot.com.
Students can also learn more about their student government by visiting slcc.edu/sll.