The University of Virginia was one of ten colleges across the nation selected to participate in student-led campaigns to increase awareness about the rising federal debt, which now is over $16 trillion. The ongoing Up to Us campaign at UVA lasts for six weeks, involving almost 20 events and projects. Along with Darden’s Initiative for Business in Society (IBiS), the students’ campaign has received backing from other University programs including the Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy, the School of Law, the Miller Center, the Department of Politics, and the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences.
IBiS Academic Director Mary Margaret Frank is leading Darden’s involvement with the campaign. Frank was recently featured on NBC 29 on January 27, along with UVA Up to Us student leader Lena Shi. 
Darden is supporting the pan-University keynote address for the campaign, which will be given by U.S. Senator Mark Warner (D-Va.). Senator Warner will speak about the national debt on February 11 at noon in the Newcomb Hall Ballroom. UVA President Teresa Sullivan will introduce Warner.
Darden is also supporting the Up to Us campaign at the annual IBiS-sponsored dinner held in conjunction with the 2013 Business in Society Conference. The dinner will focus on the role of healthcare in the national debt discussion.
Up to Us, a national competition created by Net Impact, the Clinton Global Initiative University, and the Peter G. Peterson Foundation, culminates in one student team receiving $10,000 and recognition from former President Bill Clinton. Teams will be judged by Chelsea Clinton, former presidential spokesman George Stephanopoulos, former Clinton White House chief of staff Erskine Bowles and former U.S. Sen. Alan Simpson. Help UVA win additional action points by clicking here and reading more.
