The Graduate Washington Political Action Committee held its first meeting Oct. 11 in Seattle to raise money for candidates supporting public higher education.

“This is the first time we’re going public and we’re asking for funds to get the organization rolling,” said Byron Starkey, Western senior and Graduate Washington board member. “We’re tying to create more connections within the education community.”

The event had about 70 supporters donate $10 to $100 for the cause at the meeting in the back room of Big Time Brewery & Alehouse in Seattle Oct. 11.

Starkey said their goals were to raise $1,000 for the kickoff event, then to start targeting much larger donors in order to raise enough money for a notable impact in the upcoming 2012 elections.

By the end of the meeting, the group pulled in nearly $1,500, Graduate Chair Quinn Majeski said.

“We are getting prepared by raising money to support state legislative candidates for the 2012 cycle, specifically the ones dedicated to funding higher education and a fair and transparent governance of higher education institutions,” Majeski said. “We realize that this kind of activism is critical.”

A political action committee, or PAC, advocates a specific cause and disperses money to political candidates who will support and best represent the cause.

“[PACs are] another tool in the arsenal for helping push your legislative point across down in government,” said Joe Meyer, Western senior and meeting attendee.

The Graduate Washington PAC focuses on students in higher education. Majeski expressed his concern about the status of higher education in his opening statement at the meeting.

“These are dark days for students,” Majeski said. “Students are paying 70 percent of the cost for higher education, and the debt on student loans exceeds that of credit cards in America.”

In 2011, state funding for public baccalaureates was cut by $417 million while tuition increased between 11 and 20 percent, depending on the school. For the 2011-2013 biennium, higher education had a $142 million cut in funding, according to the College Promise Coalition.

“Every union has a PAC, textbook publishers have PACs — everyone except students and student supporters,” he said. “We’ve been fighting this with one hand behind our back, without a PAC.”

The guest speaker, Seattle City Councilmember Peter Steinbrueck, addressed the eager crowd of students, faculty, alumni and congressmen. He said support is critical to students and higher education.

“[Students] are increasing in numbers in a phenomenal way,” Steinbrueck said. “We need tuition support. We need to reduce costs. Education is paramount. Public education is a nonpartisan issue; it’s considered the universal access, and we’ve been losing the support.”

Students from Western, the University of Washington and Central Washington University also attended the fundraiser, voiced their frustrations.

“It’s depressing to see the amount of money being taken out of higher education over the last few years,” said Western senior Jamin Agosti. “This is a cause I’m really passionate about.”

Agosti said he has been involved with legislative issues pertaining to higher education in Olympia a few times in the past couple years.

“I’m excited to go help this first fundraising event where it’s students leading a cause that’s important to them,” Agosti said. “It’s really cool to see that happening.”

In addition to the board members and students, other advocates, such as Rep. Glenn Anderson, R-Fall City, spoke about their disappointments  in and connections to the suffering education system.

“Penalizing people by shifting the state’s financial mismanagement and taxing them for education is wrong,” Anderson said. “This is causing greater debt for parents and students.”

King County Councilmember Bob Ferguson also commented on his college experience and responsibility in this issue.

“The best job I was ever a part of was being the student body president at UW,” Ferguson said. “Every statewide elected official has a key role to play in higher education.”

The Graduate Washington board of directors is responsible for raising and distributing money, organizing events, connecting to the broader community and setting the strategic direction of the PAC. Board members serve two-year terms that are open to renewal, according to the Graduate Washington website.

The next meeting has not been scheduled, but might take place this winter.

“Who can change not just where we are, but the world?” Steinbrueck said. “You guys have the millennial muscle—just use it.”