The time has come for Oakland University’s 20th annual OU Day at the Capitol. From 9 a.m.-4 p.m. on March 29, registered students, faculty and staff will have the opportunity to “learn about the inner workings of state government,” according to the website of the Office of Government and Community Relations.

The event is sponsored by OU Student Congress, the OU Alumni Association and the Office of Government and Community Relations. The event was originally created by Rochelle Black, vice president of the Office of Government and Community Relations.

The group will go to Lansing and have the opportunity to meet with Michigan’s elected officials, have lunch with state elected and appointed officials, and voice their concerns, said Sophia Polsinelli, Legislative Affairs Director of OUSC. The lunch will be provided by OUSC.

The group of attendees has doubled in size since last year.

According to a flier, the participants will also have the opportunity to observe the Michigan Senate and Michigan House of Representatives in session.

OU President George Hynd and Michigan Association of State Universities CEO Daniel Hurley will be speaking, among others, Polsinelli said.

The OU students, faculty and staff attending this event will be accompanied by high school students from Pontiac through Project Upward Bound program.

“I hope that students get to voice their concerns, show our reps and officials that students matter and that they should be thinking about [the students] when they make decisions,” Polsinelli said.

Registration for the event was open until March 15. However, if other OU students, faculty or staff are interested in registering for the event, they can still email Polsinelli at [email protected].

“We do not turn anyone down,” Polsinelli said.

The buses are almost full, and there are 112 total seats available on a first-come, first-serve basis. After the buses fill up, all other registrants must find their own transportation to Lansing. The event is free of cost.

A location and time for students to board the bus from OU to Lansing is still being determined. Registrants will receive an email with more information. Contact Polsinelli with questions.

Representative Mike Webber will be speaking at Advocacy Training Day on March 24, at noon in the Fireside Lounge of the Oakland Center. He will address advocacy issues for students, faculty and staff who want to attend OU Day at the Capitol.

Advocacy Training Day is free of cost and organized by the Office of Government and Community Relations and OUSC. Snacks will be provided.