Linnea Noeldner-
On Tues., March 11th, 2025, buses will depart from 3 Flags in the early morning and travel to the Minnesota State Capitol in Saint Paul, MN. As an event that has been going on for at least 15 years, the Day at the Capitol is one of the times when students have the opportunity to travel away from campus and experience the realities of what their majors and studies can turn into.
The Day at the Capitol (DATC) is a day where students get to visit their legislators and senators to learn about the political process of legislation and how to be effective advocates for the issues that they care about. Partnering with lobbyists, Gusties gets to come in and connect with the legislators. It’s an immersive experience designed to help students understand how laws are made, how public policy is shaped, and how their voices can impact the decisions that affect their communities.
Anyone is able to attend this event, as long as they sign up in advance. And while the sign-up for the 2025 DATC is closed, students are encouraged to come next year, as it is a completely free way to experience what it’s like to lobby and advocate for a cause. The experience of being in the Capitol and speaking with people who both represent them as well as those who may be alumni of Gustavus may change Gustie’s view on their future.
The Minnesota Private College Counsel, an association of private colleges in Minnesota (such as Gustavus, St. Olaf, Augsburg, and others) brings in lobbyists, as previously mentioned, to allow the students to find networking opportunities advocating for their issues. Each school drives down to the capitol and allows students the time to both thank the legislators for their work, but also give them insight on what they’ve been researching about the issues they care about.
This year’s trip is more focused on advocacy towards the Minnesota State Grant, whereas in other years, the focus was more directed at thanking legislators for their support in the State Grant. As of this year, the Grant has a funding shortfall, making the advocacy all that more important. Students receive grants for needed financial aid and the downside of the grant funding not being sufficient or being removed would have a significant impact on the educational presence of a large portion of students.
“[Legislators] want the students to tell their stories, like I’m someone who was helped by a state grant or I have a friend who was helped by it and this is why it’s important,” Director of media relations and internal communications, Luc Hatlesad said. This is his third year attending DATC.
This emphasis on personal stories is what makes the experience so powerful—students aren’t just talking about abstract policies; they are sharing their own lived experiences and advocating for what is most important to them.
Political Science Professor Kate Knutson heads the Day at the Capitol trip with the course she teaches on Public Policy. Her students prepare for the trip by researching about the Minnesota state grant program as well as the legislators that they meet with throughout the day. The preparation ensures that students are well-informed and ready to engage in meaningful conversations with policymakers.
Each student has an assigned legislator with their home district and if a student is from an out of state district or theirs is unavailable, they meet with the Saint Peter legislator, Erica Schwartz. The legislators and senators meet with students for around 15 minutes and listen to them share their stories. These brief exchanges offer a platform for students to express their concerns and provide valuable insight to those in positions of power.
“That’s really what’s powerful. Whether that’s the state grant or environment or abortion or healthcare or whatever it is that you care about; who are you, why are you there, and where you care about it,” Knutson said.
After their discussions with the legislators and senators, the students get to part into pods to speak with alumni of Gustavus who may have government connections or work in relation to politics. The day gets wrapped up with discussions of personal connections and networking.
“With the new curriculum and the more intensified focus on mentorships and internships, it’s a productive way to make more connections that might help you out later,” Hatlestad said.
The Day at the Capitol is one of Gustavus’s many immersive, away from campus events that help prepare students for the working world beyond their studies. With opportunities to both get educated as well as educate their legislators, it’s a way for Gusties to expand their horizons to the nitty gritty of politics and inclusion in the people representing them.