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Local, State & Federal Advocacy

Office of Governmental Affairs

Associated Students, Inc., Office of Governmental Affairs (OGA), is the political voice for students and thus informs students of CSUS about the different political issues that affect both them and their State related to higher education, as well as lobby the State Legislature on behalf of the students and the Board of Directors. OGA offers students leadership development, local and statewide internship referrals, on campus internship opportunities, and volunteer hours for clubs, organizations, class requirement or individual interest.

Mission

The mission of the Office of Governmental Affairs is to inform the students of Sacramento State about different political issues that affect both them and their State related to higher education, as well as lobby the State Legislature on behalf of the students and the ASI Board of Directors.

Want to know what we’ve been able to accomplish this past year? Check out our 2012-2013 Annual Report!

Responsibilities

  • Student-developed in 2003, the Office of Governmental Affairs (OGA) addresses the need for civic engagement in the student population at Sacramento State.
  • The Office of Governmental Affairs informs Sacramento State students about higher education by organizing Voter Registration and Education, Lobbying, and Advocacy.
  • OGA offers voter registration and education to Sacramento State campus by tabling in the public and special events; last year OGA registered over 1,000 Sac State students. We maintain our stance as a non-partisan group; we promote all candidates by encouraging all students on campus to vote.
  • We inform our students on initiative process and information on propositions and candidates on the ballot. Fall Semester’s biggest project is to have a polling place on campus for our students and surrounding community member to benefit from for the upcoming elections. OGA also provides Citizenship information and sponsors a Citizenship Fair for our students and community members.
  • Throughout the year, OGA’s main purpose is to track the status of legislative bills that affect students at Sacramento State and represent the Associated Students Board of Directors position on critical issues in higher education. We also lobby in behalf of Sacramento State students and invite students to advocate on higher educational issues by having the opportunity to join the Lobby Corps.
  • The Office of Governmental Affairs refers students to internship and scholarship opportunities available for students as well as community service opportunities on campus. We also can provide students with information on higher educational issues for research or can provide contacts in the Sacramento community.

Student Activity Planning and University Policies

Sacramento State, in coordination with Student Organizations & Leadership (SO&L) and ASI, encourages student activity coordinators to work with SO&L and ASI in advance to plan and carry out safe events in which ideas are expressed in a manner minimizing the risk of harm to others, and which are in congruence with University mission and policies.

ASI hosts many events, marches, rallies and forums throughout the year to get student input and ensure that the community and legislature knows what students think. We encourage you to get involved with our programs and make your voice heard.

The Sacramento State policies below exist to help keep every member of the Sacramento State community safe while on campus, to help ensure that student-sponsored events are accessible to all interested community members, and to help protect individual student rights whether students are hosting an event, attending an event, or may be affected by an event.

This is only a partial list of important policies that may apply to student-hosted events; check back regularly for updates to this page. Additionally, please consult the Student Organization Handbook for many other tips, guidelines, and procedures regarding event planning.

OGA Staff

Sarah Couch

Director of Office of Governmental Affairs
Hometown: Sacramento, CA
Major: M.A. English Literature
Campus Activities: Phi Sigma Sigma, Student Alumni Association, G.E. Honors Program, Sigma Tau Delta, Phi Kappa Phi
asioga@csus.edu
916-278-3924
Office Hours: Spring 2013, TBD

Stephanie Gish

Civic Engagement Coordinator
Hometown: Fiddletown, CA
Major: Communications
Campus Activities: Gamma Phi Beta, City Ambassadors, Lobby Corps
asi-oga1@csus.edu
916-278-3924
Office Hours: Spring 2013, TBD

Meg Panlaqui

Legislative Affairs Coordinator
Hometown: Carson, CA
Major: Anthropology
Campus Activities: Alpha Chi Omega
asi-ogpc@saclink.csus.edu
916-278-3924
Office Hours: Spring 2013, TBD

Anthony Gibson

California State Student Association Representative
Hometown: Las Vegas, NV
Major: Business
Campus Activities: Committee Rep on the IRT Steering Committee
asicssarep@csus.edu
916-278-4167
Office Hours: Spring 2013, TBD