Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz hears from Florida Atlantic University students Wide range of issues covered at FAU campus

If you thought college students don’t care about politics anymore, an hour in a crowded conference room at Florida Atlantic University’s Davie campus Thursday might have changed your mind.

A roomful of students grilled U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Weston, when she came to campus to speak about an act passed by Congress that makes college more affordable. When Wasserman Schultz opened the floor for questions, few asked about college tuition.

“What chance is there for foreign people who are here legally, like international students, who want to stay here and want to do it legally?” asked international business student Priscilla Velasquez, 21, of Pembroke Pines.

Velasquez left Peru when her father’s job brought the family to the United States. She has a student visa, but red tape has kept Velasquez and the rest of her family from getting green cards. A year away from graduation, she worries that she won’t be allowed to work here.

Wasserman Schultz she doubts that Congress would overhaul immigration laws before the presidential election.

“We’re not likely to see anything happen with that for at least the next year,” Wasserman Schultz said. “There’s volatile questions, but believe me, this one’s radioactive volatile.”

Another student had the environment on her mind.

“What’s something I can do if a community I’m in has no recycling program? What can I do as an individual?” asked Michelle Zahuranec, 23, of Lauderdale Lakes.

Michael Emanuel Rajner, 37, of Pompano Beach, asked about sex education in schools and funding to help people with AIDS. Nursing student Rochelle Dacosta, 27, of Fort Lauderdale wanted to know why tuition keeps increasing. Another student pressed the congresswoman on how she thinks illegal immigrants affect the cost of health care.

The questions show that politicians shouldn’t assume young people care only about what affects them directly, said political science student Shana Falb, 26, of Oakland Park.

“Obviously, they’re into other issues. There are more important issues out there than college tuition,” Falb said. “They were more interested in hearing about corruption, war, civil liberties and the environment.”

If more politicians took the time to hear what college students are really interested in, Falb said, maybe voter turnout among young people would increase.

“I think it’s great we have a congresswoman come and speak with us,” Falb said. “It’s a good thing for students to hear about the issues directly from politicians’ mouths.”

Copyright 2007