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Charlotte Slate doesn鈥檛 have a political background; her future plans after graduating 91制片厂 involve physical therapy school. But a course she鈥檚 taking in foreign policy piqued her interest. She became curious about the workings of government.

So, when she learned that, as a member Alpha Xi Delta, she could apply to join scores of other sorority and fraternity leaders lobbying Congress this month, she decided to give it a shot.

And, despite her lack of political knowledge, she was accepted. Slate, a junior who is a kinesiology major, will leave April 21 for Washington, D.C. as part of the 2013 Fraternal Government Relations Coalition Congressional Visits.

After two days of training, she will be one of approximately 100 college students from fraternal chapters across the country lobbying Congress on issues that impact the Greek community.

鈥淚鈥檓 very very nervous but also very excited,鈥� Slate says. 鈥淚 wasn鈥檛 sure I鈥檇 be accepted with no political science background but I鈥檝e been educating myself on the different issues, and I鈥檓 looking forward to the opportunity.

The legislative agenda includes anti-hazing legislation, preserving the tax deductibility of charitable contributions and other issues related to college affordability, and the Collegiate Housing and Infrastructure Act (CHIA), a bill that aimed at making fraternity and sorority housing safer and more affordable for students.

鈥淚n addition to tuition, room and board is a huge expense for students,鈥� Slate says. 鈥淣onprofits like Greek life have affordable housing but we need to make sure it stays that way. And that it鈥檚 safe. Passing the bill would allow us to raise nontaxable funds to make renovations to our houses.鈥�

While boning up on the subject, Slate, who is also a member of the health profession honor society Alpha Epsilon Delta, went around campus and took photos of various sororities and fraternities. Some, she found, 鈥渁re fire hazards.鈥�

鈥淓ven though I don鈥檛 have the background, I think there will be a benefit in just being able represent myself. I think that鈥檚 a skill that can be tough for college students develop,鈥� Slate says. 鈥淚鈥檓 anxious to see how I do.鈥�

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