In an attempt to build momentum behind the renovation of Marriott Library, the Gould Auditorium will be transformed into a student lobbying center for three days this week.
This Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, the phones of Utah state legislators will ring with the calls of U students, and organizers of the lobby-fest hope they ring often.
The U is trying to raise a total of $63 million to fund a structural renovation that would calm fears of a crumbling library in the event of an earthquake.
The U will request $45 million of the state over the next two years.
According to Heidi Brett, spokesperson for the library, $27 million would be enough to fund the first year of renovation.
Brett says the students’ voice plays an important role in getting the money.
“Every voice is important in the democratic process,” she said.
Brett also says she realizes that students are busy, which is why she and the event’s co organizer, the Associated Students of the University of Utah, have tried to make the lobbying process as easy as possible for students.
It will work like this: Students will be able to sit down at a staffed computer to figure out who their legislators are and will get their home phone numbers. Then they will call them, letting them know that they are constituents by telling them their name and address. Next, they will tell them if they want funding for the library. Finally, they will receive a free slice of pizza “as a thank you.”
According to Brett, the whole process should take no more than 10 minutes.
According to Taylor Morgan, director of government relations for ASUU, the calls are important now because a committee in charge of presenting a prioritized list of funding for state facilities to the House and Senate will be taking notice.
If things go according to plan, some Utah legislators could go home to an answering machine full of messages sounding something like, “Hi, this is John Smith from 1162 Voter St. in Salt Lake City, and I want you to support the renovation of Marriott Library.”
Morgan said he would be excited if 50 students a day called their legislators. It would be “awesome” if 100 to 200 per day called.
“The more students that come in, the better,” Morgan said.
Elections parties will also be encouraging students to make the call.
The party that recruits the most callers will win a full-page advertisement in The Chronicle, paid for by either ASUU or the library, according to Morgan.
Those with further questions about the lobbying can call 581-8558 or visit www.lib.utah.edu/advocate.
