July 14, 2004

Gov. Warner signs legislation advocated by VCU students

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By Mike Frontiero
VCU School of Education

A bill signing ceremony was held at the state capitol for VCU School of Social Work students and legislators who helped sponsor the legislation during the 2004 session of the General Assembly. From left are students Mira Signer and Ranna Lanagan, an unidentified board member from Stop Child Abuse Now, student Jennifer Shuart, Delegate Vivian Watts, Gov. Mark R. Warner, the students' professor Robert Schneider, and students Donna Clements and Michael Mallett. Student Erin Osborne is not pictured. Photo by Michaele White, Office of the Governor
A bill signing ceremony was held at the state capitol for VCU School of Social Work students and legislators who helped sponsor the legislation during the 2004 session of the General Assembly. From left are students Mira Signer and Ranna Lanagan, an unidentified board member from Stop Child Abuse Now, student Jennifer Shuart, Delegate Vivian Watts, Gov. Mark R. Warner, the students' professor Robert Schneider, and students Donna Clements and Michael Mallett. Student Erin Osborne is not pictured. Photo by Michaele White, Office of the Governor

Six Virginia Commonwealth University students had the chance of a lifetime to practice what they were taught this year when they assisted in the development of and shepherded two bills through the General Assembly to the desk of Gov. Mark R. Warner, who signed them into law today during a ceremony at the state capitol.

Donna Clements, Ronna Lanagan, Mike Mallett, Erin Osborne, Jen Shuart, and Mira Signer are master's students in the School of Social Work's Social Work Administration and Planning program, which prepares students to become leaders skilled in analyzing, formulating, implementing and evaluating policies, plans and programs. Major themes within the integrated curriculum are social and economic justice, diversity, leadership and advocacy.

"These students have accomplished a rare feat: getting bills passed during the first session they were considered," said Robert L. Schneider, Ph.D., their professor.

As the bills moved through the General Assembly, the students provided testimony in committee meetings and answered questions from lawmakers, who grilled them at times and added amendments.

The students said many people, including several delegates, stopped them in the hallways and cafeteria to complement them on their testimony and answering all the questions. Some even offered to write letters of recommendation for them. "I think this all goes to show that students can and have to be involved in the legislative process, " said Signer, who now works for Planned Parenthood of Virginia. "People are so willing to listen to students."

The legislation they advocated is designed to help prevent child abuse and sexual violence.