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2009 Student Government Seminar

Nearly 100 local students from 17 schools had the chance to serve as "state Senators" as part of Senator Bob Robbins' student government seminar. The students took on the role of legislators and were tasked with considering a number of bills. During the daylong seminar held at Thiel College's Howard Miller Student Center.

The students were separated into various "committees" in the morning to debate the merits of the bills and proposed amendments that were before their panels. The forums were intended to foster discussion and debate among the young people, according to Senator Robbins.

"This seminar is intended to get student to participate in government. A lot of these issues may sound simple, but students may find that other people disagree with you," Senator Robbins said.

The students were reunited in the afternoon to meet as the Senate to vote on the bills reported out of the committees. Senator Robbins said the seminar was intended to challenge the students and show them that cooperation is often the key to effective government.

"Often times, you will find that cooperation is the key to getting things done," Senator Robbins continued. "I believe politics ought to be the art of the possible, not the impossible. There are times when you have to make the tough votes and there are times when you have to compromise to get things done.

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