On Friday, August 4, 2000
"The National Psychology Graduate Student Rally" was held on the Lower West
Terrace of the U.S. Capitol during the Annual APA Convention. This was an opportunity
to bring nationwide attention toward the enormous contribution to the public
welfare made by psychology research assistants, practica trainees and interns.
Our intention to engage and educate community leaders and legislators in an effort to expand the support for Federal Work-Study (FWS) at the graduate level was a success. Through previous advocacy efforts of the APA, FWS can be utilized to support our students' research and service activities off-campus, in our local communities. As a profession, we were and will continue to target getting an increased share of FWS for improving funding for the vital activities that our students perform.
Our efforts have served as a centripetal force for the various education and training groups in psychology to join together around a meaningful and proactive cause in which we each have a common stake. We continue to seek changes in laws and regulations that are impeding student training, by developing viable models of fiscal support for training resources
Through involvement with the organization of this rally, students have become, and continue to be, effective advocates for their profession, as well as for the populations they serve. Please contact us for more information. Our hope is that "together we will make a difference."
Thank you for your support in San Francisco and Washington D.C. The organizers of this rally look forward to continued efforts nationwide in bringing awareness to local, state and federal representatives. Please add this link to your bookmarks, since this website is a work in progress and updates will be made as changes occur.
Rally Organizers