2008 Woodie Awards
University's students participate in legislature
Acquanetta G. Donnell Jr.
News Editor
Issue date: 2/11/08 Section: Campus News
This past November, the Department of History, Geography and Political Science sponsored the university's first delegation to the newly reformed Tennessee Intercollegiate State Legislature
(TISL).
With more than a 30-year history, TISL was founded in 1966 and on the TSU campus before 1980 by Tennessee college students.
TISL provides a forum for debating issues and learning about state government. This program in the state of Tennessee allows each university to send representatives to participate in caucusing, committee work and full legislative sessions.
Advised by Hoyt King, professor of history and assisted by Brian Russell, assistant professor of history, the TISL program at TSU allows students from the university to participate in the Tennessee legislature.
All members of the TSU chapter ofTISL are allowed to write and debate a bill that has been proposed. However, to do this, the proposed bill must have followed all procedures.
Out of all the bills that have been proposed from TSU students, eight of them have been passed.
"What we do in this program is a real experience for us," said Philip Stoecklien,
a senior political science major from
Nashville and also one of the members who has been recognized by the TISL executive board. "We basically learn the process of legislation."
The TSU chapter of TISL has prepared two laws. The first has gone nationwide with the other is on its way.
The law requiring babies to be in car seats, and the other which limits smoking in public places. Some of the laws that are proposed by TISL go on to the general assembly.
Aquinas College and Lipscomb University, both located in Nashville, caucuses with TSU in their efforts to pass bills in the legislature.
"TSU has a strong part of the participation
in TISL," Russell said. "By becoming a part of TISL, the members are being able to make a connection with people involved in the government."
TISL meets in the fall when the legislature
is not in session, which allows participants access to all chambers. TSU has sponsored one bill that will be lobbied on April 8 at the state capitol.
"Our goal for TISL here at TSU is to recruit at least 20 students to participate," King said.
Stoecklien takes great pride in the organization and admits that students are
allowed the opportunity to showcase their
skills.
"This program is compiled of all college
students and completely student led and organized," Stoecklien said.•
and organized," Stoecklien said.•
(TISL).
With more than a 30-year history, TISL was founded in 1966 and on the TSU campus before 1980 by Tennessee college students.
TISL provides a forum for debating issues and learning about state government. This program in the state of Tennessee allows each university to send representatives to participate in caucusing, committee work and full legislative sessions.
Advised by Hoyt King, professor of history and assisted by Brian Russell, assistant professor of history, the TISL program at TSU allows students from the university to participate in the Tennessee legislature.
All members of the TSU chapter ofTISL are allowed to write and debate a bill that has been proposed. However, to do this, the proposed bill must have followed all procedures.
Out of all the bills that have been proposed from TSU students, eight of them have been passed.
"What we do in this program is a real experience for us," said Philip Stoecklien,
a senior political science major from
Nashville and also one of the members who has been recognized by the TISL executive board. "We basically learn the process of legislation."
The TSU chapter of TISL has prepared two laws. The first has gone nationwide with the other is on its way.
The law requiring babies to be in car seats, and the other which limits smoking in public places. Some of the laws that are proposed by TISL go on to the general assembly.
Aquinas College and Lipscomb University, both located in Nashville, caucuses with TSU in their efforts to pass bills in the legislature.
"TSU has a strong part of the participation
in TISL," Russell said. "By becoming a part of TISL, the members are being able to make a connection with people involved in the government."
TISL meets in the fall when the legislature
is not in session, which allows participants access to all chambers. TSU has sponsored one bill that will be lobbied on April 8 at the state capitol.
"Our goal for TISL here at TSU is to recruit at least 20 students to participate," King said.
Stoecklien takes great pride in the organization and admits that students are
allowed the opportunity to showcase their
skills.
"This program is compiled of all college
students and completely student led and organized," Stoecklien said.•
and organized," Stoecklien said.•
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