There are dozens of student organizations at the University looking to bring about change to the community. Students can find groups devoted to anything from civil rights to animal rights. The recently established Progressive Student Alliance, is looking to connect these groups together in the name of progress.
Friday evening, members and prospective members of the PSA gathered at Serranos Salsa Company for a dinner conversation to discuss the goals for the new group.
Moriah Graham, international studies senior and PSA president, said the group has existed in decades past only to fall off the map and disappear. She said this time it will be different.
“There are so many student groups here on campus,” Graham said. “What we hope to do is to be a connection between them so agendas can move forward.”
Graham said the PSA hopes to bridge the gap between organizations in the Baton Rouge community and those at the University.
“There is a disconnect between city groups and campus groups,” Graham said. “If we can help them connect together, a lot of good can be done.”
The word “progressive” can come loaded with preconceived definitions that don’t accurately describe how the PSA uses it. Graham said their definition is much more broad and encompassing than people might think.
“We are here to support progressive goals,” Graham said. “That can mean anything from recycling and environmental agendas, safe-sex campaigns, to getting more bike racks on campus.”
Graham said she hopes to get input from students about what they feel is important to the campus and the community. The ultimate goal for the PSA is to serve a variety of interests, not just a few.
Because there are so many groups on campus aiming for progress, Graham feels strongly the PSA will become an indispensable tool for those who are serious about their goals.
“LSU is a huge school with a lot of students with progressive interests,” Graham said. “These students need an outlet and we will be there to facilitate that.”
As the school year goes on, Graham believes that the PSA will be able to get involved and progress will follow.
“A lot has been done already in the name of progress,” Graham said. “What we, the PSA, hope to do, is progress even more over time and to sustain what has already been done.”

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Grace Steinhauser

Representatives from the Baton Rouge Progressive Network meet with members of the Progressive Student Alliance at Serranos Salsa Company on Friday, Oct. 18, 2013. PSA is a new student organization on the LSU campus.