Six Tusculum College students learned the ins and outs of participatory government when they recently attended the 46th General Assembly of the Tennessee Intercollegiate State Legislature, a mock legislature at the state capitol building in Nashville.
The Tennessee Intercollegiate State Legislature is a forum for the top echelon of the state’s campus leaders to exchange ideas, express their opinions and learn how government works.
The Tusculum delegation consisted of Michael Fernando, a senior accounting, international business and economics and general management major from Sri Lanka and president of the Student Government Association; Paul Johnston, a senior museum studies major from Smyrna, Del.; Stephanie Turner, a senior journalism and professional writing major from Shelbyville, Tenn.; Haylee Reed, a biology major from Winchester, Tenn.; William Mountain, a freshman criminal justice major from Memphis, Tenn.; and Toni Forbes, a freshman business management major from Bluffton, S.C.
Fernando, chair of the delegation, served as a senator, and Reed served in the House of Representatives.
Fernando said, “Haylee and I had the opportunity to go to the Tennessee Intercollegiate State Legislature, where [we] met with student leaders from across the state and beyond and had the ability to influence policy at a state level. [We] discussed issues ranging from the death penalty to abortion to student debt to the state beverage.”
In addition, Johnston and Mountain lobbied for the Tennessee Gun Association and Tennessee Law Enforcement groups.
“We were able to discuss a lot of important issues with people who were really informed,” said Johnston. “Everything passed by TISL goes to the governor, who takes some of our legislation to the state Senate and House. It was a wonderful opportunity.”
Turner and Forbes served as media personnel, focusing on print newsletters and social media.
Forbes said, “We met a lot of great people, and it was nice to be in a room full of young, productive people like myself. I recommend everyone to try TISL at least once.”
By Stephanie Turner, senior journalism and professional writing major from Shelbyville
Tusculum College delegates to the 46th General Assembly of the Tennessee Intercollegiate State Legislature included Haylee Reed, William Mountain, Michael Fernando, Stephanie Turner, Paul Johnston and Toni Forbes.