Press Releases
Release Date Title
8/10/09 No “off-year” for College Democrats
8/13/09 College Democrats to Rally for Health Care Reform
9/23/09 College Democrats Issue Statement on Michigan Promise Scholarship
10/7/09 College Democrats to Hold Diag Day as Part of Nationwide Push for Health Insurance Reform
From: College Democrats at the University of Michigan
Contact: Joe Sandman, Press Secretary
(202) 841-2174
jsandman@umich.edu
Dana Cronyn, Media Coordinator
(269) 290-2730
dcronyn@umich.edu
College Democrats to Hold Diag Day as Part of Nationwide Push for Health Insurance Reform
Ann Arbor, MI – Members of College Democrats at the University of Michigan (UMCD) will spend the day on the Diag today to campaign for health insurance reform as part of a nationwide day of student activism on the issue. College Democrats chapters will be holding similar events at 50 colleges and universities across the country.
UMCD plans to distribute information on President Barack Obama's plan for health insurance reform. The group will also facilitate a phonebanking campaign from the Diag, so that students can voice their opinions on health insurance reform to their representatives in Congress. UMCD has prepared talking points and will be able to direct students to their two senators and representative.
"Health care reform is critical for students," said Samuel T. Marvin, chair of UMCD. "As it stands, most students are dropped from their parents' coverage when they graduate from college. President Obama's plan, however, would required insurance companies to cover young adults through age 26."
Today, young adults make up the largest portion of America's uninsured. Over 18 million Americans ages 19-29 are uninsured.
"The status quo is unacceptable," added Marvin. "Today's events will show that students across the country are passionate about health insurance reform and are remaining active after their unprecedented push for Obama last fall."
###
From: College Democrats at the University of Michigan
Contact: Joe Sandman, Press Secretary
(202) 841-2174
jsandman@umich.edu
Dana Cronyn, Media Coordinator
(269) 290-2730
dcronyn@umich.edu
College Democrats Issue Statement on Michigan Promise Scholarship
Ann Arbor, MI – College Democrats at the University of Michigan released the following statement after the House-Senate conference committee voted today to end the Michigan Promise Scholarship:
“As a result of the House-Senate conference committee’s vote today, thousands of students across the state — including dozens in our organization — will lose their Michigan Promise Scholarships, and potentially other state-funded scholarships as well. At a time in which tuition is increasingly out of reach for many students and families across the state are struggling economically, it is shocking that legislators would consider breaking their promise to young people and cutting scholarships for higher education. Although the state undoubtedly faces a significant budget shortfall, we refuse to believe that breaking the Michigan Promise is an appropriate solution to the problem.
“Republicans in the State Legislature have long sought to cut the Michigan Promise Scholarship, and today they came closer to that goal. They took another step down their long path of failed policies and broken promises and once again demonstrated that they are not committed to investing in the students that are the future of our state. Michigan’s pubic universities are one of our state’s greatest assets. Yet, if students cannot afford tuition, it is hard to believe that our universities will be able to help our state recover from its present economic crisis. These chosen budget cuts create an environment so poisonous we cannot expect our generation to remain in the state of Michigan.
“Senators Glenn Anderson and Liz Brater have been leaders in the fight to preserve funding for education. They have stood up to to the legislators that have sought to break the promise and otherwise make higher education less affordable. As an organization, the College Democrats will continue to stand behind them and support their efforts.
"On the other hand, it would be very difficult, if not impossible, for us to campaign in the future for any politician who did not support and defend the Michigan Promise. In the past, we have made countless phone calls, knocked on doors and campaigned on campus for Carl Levin, Debbie Stabenow, John Dingell, Glenn Anderson, Marty Griffin, Bart Stupak, Gary Peters, Mark Schauer, and many others. As one of the largest College Democrats chapters in the country, our large volunteer base is an invaluable resource.
"Furthermore, all students should take note of how their senators and representatives vote on higher education funding, as students are the ones who will be affected by the Legislature's broken promise."
###
AUGUST 13, 2009
From: College Democrats at the University of Michigan
Contact: Joe Sandman, Press Secretary
Email: jsandman@umich.edu
Telephone: (202) 841-2174
Dana Cronyn: Media Coordinator
Email: dcronyn@umich.edu
Telephone: (269) 290-2730
College Democrats to Rally for Health Care Reform
On the Eve of Pro-Health Care Protest in Jackson, College Democrats at the University of Michigan is Gearing Up for Health Care Fight
Ann Arbor, MI – The College Democrats at the University of Michigan (UMCD) will rally in support of health care reform this afternoon in Jackson, MI. UMCD has mobilized its members to push for President Barack Obama’s health care plan and will assemble with other supporters to thank Congressman Mark Schauer (D-MI-7) for advocating health care reform. UMCD usually does not hold events during the summer, as many of its members have left Ann Arbor for the break, but will send a core group to attend the demonstration today. The rally will take place at 3:30pm outside Congressman Schauer’s district office at 800 West Ganson St., Jackson, MI.
UMCD actively campaigned for Congressman Schauer and has been proud of his steadfast commitment to health care reform. UMCD conducted two "district invasions" in Michigan's 7th Congressional District last fall, in which volunteers from the group knocked on over 850 doors for Congressman Schauer.
“We greatly appreciate Congressman Schauer’s strong support for health care reform,” said Samuel Marvin, chair of UMCD. “He recognizes the health care crisis in America and is committed to addressing it with meaningful reform. He is working to reduce costs, expand access, and improve quality in our health care system.”
“As student activists we want to change the tone of this debate," Marvin said. "Small, angry mobs have trampled on the long-standing American tradition of civilized discussion and debate. We're going to bring the conversation back to the issues that matter--without yelling and screaming."
The need for health care reform has become more pressing in recent years. Health insurance premiums have doubled since 2000, while wages have remained steady. Despite the increasing costs and spending twice as much on health care as other industrialized nations, Americans are not seeing better results. According to the CIA World Factbook, the United States is ranked 50th in the world for life expectancy.
The ongoing health care debate is of particular concern to college students, as students often lose their health insurance after they graduate from college. Young adults comprise one of the largest portions of uninsured people in the United States. Almost 14 million Americans age 19-29 are uninsured. Employers are cutting back on health care benefits and it is difficult for entry-level workers to afford individual health insurance plans. Health care reform is needed to ensure that all Americans have access to affordable health care. "Anyone who suggests that health care reform is not needed is in denial," said Marvin.
UMCD will continue to campaign in Michigan for health care reform. The group is planning a “take back the town hall” event, which will feature a panel discussion of the merits of health care reform. UMCD will also work to educate students on campus this fall about the benefits of President Obama’s health care plan.
###
August 10, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
From: College Democrats at the University of Michigan
Contact: Joe Sandman, Press Secretary
Email: jsandman@umich.edu
Telephone: (202) 841-2174
Dana Cronyn, Media Coordinator
Email: dcronyn@umich.edu
Telephone: (269) 290-2730
No “off-year” for College Democrats
College Democrats at the University of Michigan announces campaign
plans, endorses candidates
Ann Arbor, MI – The College Democrats at the University of Michigan (UMCD)
announced endorsements today in three critical races that will be decided this coming
November. The group endorsed Martin J. Griffin for Michigan state Senate in the state's
19th Senate District. The group also endorsed R. Creigh Deeds for governor of Virginia
and Jon S. Corzine for governor of New Jersey.
As part of its endorsement, UMCD has pledged to campaign for the three candidates this
fall to ensure continued Democratic victories this year.
Among UMCD’s tentative plans are multiple “district invasions” to Michigan’s 19th
Senate District to campaign for Martin Griffin. Griffin is seeking the Michigan state
Senate seat for the 19th Senate District, which was vacated after Democrat Mark Schauer
was elected to the US House of Representatives this past November.
“We are excited to get out there and knock doors for Representative Griffin,” said
Samuel T. Marvin, chair of UMCD. “He is an ally of students all across Michigan, and
that is important to us. With financial aid under attack in the Michigan state Senate, we
plan to campaign hard for someone who will stand up for students.”
Also on the agenda is a four-day trip to Virginia to campaign for Creigh Deeds as part of
UMCD’s annual fall break excursion. Marvin hopes more than fifty student volunteers
will join the group and travel to Virginia to work toward securing a Democratic victory in
the key swing state.
“Creigh Deeds will be an excellent Governor,” Marvin said. In his years serving in the
Virginia House of Delegates and in the Virginia state Senate, Deeds has proven himself
to be a thoughtful, rational lawmaker. We know that the help of College Democrats will
be crucial to achieving victory in November.”
For the last five years, UMCD has taken advantage of the University of Michigan’s
scheduled class break in October to hit the road to campaign for Democrats across the
country. Previous campaign trips have included Kentucky, North Carolina, Virginia, and
the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.
During the chapter’s 2008 fall break to Marquette, MI, a group of 37 students knocked
3,358 doors, made 5,584 phone calls, and placed 2,500 yard signs. Their work helped to
reelect Democratic Congressman Bart Stupak last November.
In addition to the multiple district invasions, UMCD also plans to initiate extensive phone
banking and letter writing campaigns targeting districts across New Jersey and Virginia.
Marvin and UMCD plan to build off their strong, successful 2008 campaign. Last year,
UMCD brought hundreds of College Democrats to districts across Michigan through
nearly one dozen district invasions. The group knocked doors in targeted races for now-
Representatives Mark Schauer and Gary Peters and now-State Representatives Kathy
Angerer and Dian Slavens. These new seats were important Democratic victories in
2008.
“Our efforts last year paid off tremendously,” Marvin said. “We ran an incredible
campaign on campus and in the State of Michigan. We hope to build on last year’s
successes by helping candidates that are committed to the Democratic vision for America
get elected to public office.”
"This is certainly not an 'off-year' for College Democrats,” Marvin added.
###
