Rep. Ed Robb to participate in lunchtime forum with students

By Jewels Phraner

Published Oct. 2, 2007

MU students will have the opportunity to meet with Rep. Ed Robb, R-Columbia, on Wednesday to talk about issues that matter to them.

"We want to provide an opportunity for students to voice their concerns," said Mark Buhrmester, the programming and communications director for the Associated Students of the University of Missouri. "It's a great way for student to talk about what matters to them."

The event is sponsored by ASUM, the student lobbying group for the UM system. The lunch is the group's third event that has invited students to sit down for a meal with legislators.

The first was held in April, when Rep. Judy Baker, D-Columbia, and Sen. Chuck Graham, D-Columbia, met students at Mark Twain Market.

"The lunch wasn't as widely-attended as I was hoping," Buhrmester said. "But it was our first one, and we learned from our mistakes."

ASUM also organized a dinner with former House Minority Leader Jeff Harris, D-Columbia, that same week.

Buhrmester said the dinner had much better attendance. For one, members from the MU chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws attended to voice their concerns about Missouri marijuana laws.

Buhrmester said these events accomplish most of ASUM's goals as an organization.

"We want to encourage political participation and educate students about the political process," he said.

Buhrmester said he hoped 30 students would attend Wednesday's lunch.

"We want enough people to have a good conversation, but we want to keep it casual and intimate," he said.

The group is meeting at noon Wednesday in the back room of Plaza 900.