So, let’s talk about Iowa City. Last Tuesday, the City Council voted to differentiate a public urination violation from indecent exposure. Previously, section 8-5-6 lumped public masturbation and sexual intercourse with public urination; on background checks, this shows up as a violation of the City Code 8-5-6 without specific details.

Obviously, employment prospects were severely damaged whenever employers requested a criminal record with a job application. But why the sudden change? The University of Iowa Student Government asked for the change.

Simple as that? Simple as that.

In Ann Arbor, Michigan, since 1972, the “Hash Bash” has been an annual event held at the University of Michigan Diag. Legend has it, the campus got it in its head that it wanted to legalize the possession of marijuana. And so, when the city council elections rolled around, there was a mass student turnout, the entire city council board was replaced with marijuana advocates and the city code changed to turn the campus into a pothead paradise.

While this is only legend, the Hash Bash has had a real impact. Ann Arbor has some of the most lenient marijuana possession laws in the country. Whether or not you agree with cannabis laws is irrelevant; the overall concept of student advocacy rings strikingly clear once again.

The point is student advocacy works … but only when it happens.

Yeah, being active in politics is more involved than just posting a clever or inspiring Facebook status. It’s more than having an intellectual conversation. And it’s more than writing a 300-word letter to the editor.

Iowa Regent’s Day is this Thursday at the Capitol in Des Moines. This is your chance to talk to your legislators and tell them your story. The ISU Ambassadors have arranged for free transportation to get you down there, and Jimmy John’s will provide lunch to keep you fed. Class is officially excused for the day and the time commitment is only a few hours. How much easier could we make it?

The bus leaves from the south side of the Memorial Union at 11 AM Thursday and we’ll be back before 4 p.m. We’ll see you there, right?