As Americans enter in to the last month before the election, many get-out-the-vote organizations are scrambling to gather stragglers who have yet to register.

The Baker University Student Educators Association joined the effort to register voters while simultaneously spreading awareness about rising tuition costs through a program called Got Tuition.

Senior Danita Long, a non-traditional student, said Got Tuition is a non-partisan campaign, sponsored by the National Education Association, to inform voters about legislation involving tuition prices.

“What we’re trying to do is urge Congress to make college more affordable,” Long said.

Students stood in Harter Union lobby handing out information about tuition legislation last week. They also asked students to sign a petition expressing concern about tuition costs and register to vote. The group registered 32 students in less than two hours. “Everybody needs to exercise their right to vote,” Long said. “I see it as a part of citizenship.”

She hopes people will inform themselves about current issues and vote based on the conclusions they draw concerning the candidates’ stances on those issues.

Senior Katelin Spear helped run the Got Tuition booth. She said many people complain about politics but don’t take the necessary actions to change things, such as voting.

“(Politicians are) not going to listen to people who aren’t registered to vote,” she said.

Spear said the event was not exclusive to Baker because several other universities take part in the same kinds of activities.

Senior Jeremy Webb said he visited the booth to sign the petition that was available but had previously registered to vote.

He said students could have a major impact on the current election if they give themselves the chance and take the opportunity to use their voices.

“Everyone who is capable of voting should vote,” Webb said.

Long said along with registering voters, the group also gathered almost 250 signatures on the petition.

She said this is an important issue because, while it may not directly affect current Baker students, the economy relies on a well-educated population. Long said she was pleasantly surprised by the student turnout at the booth because it is unlikely tuition costs will fall overnight.

“I was very happy with the level of caring and compassion by the students at Baker toward future students,” she said.

For more information about Got Tuition, students can visit www.gottuition.org.