SMU students quenched their thirst in front of Umphrey Lee Center yesterday, signing an I.O.U. for 25 cents as part of the Concerned Youth of America’s “E-lemon-ate the Debt Tour.”

The nationwide tour started when University of Pennsylvania student Yoni Gruskin and Yale student Martin Sern decided to educate students and the general public about the massive national debt. 

Gruskin and Serna came up with the idea as seniors in high school and are now traveling to college campuses across the United States, to raise awareness of the threat that America faces because of national debt.

“We are trying to raise awareness of the national debt, impact the future and alleviate the impending crisis,” Gruskin said. “The idea is that we can mobilize generations around a common cause which is their future.”

Concerned Youth of America is a student-run organization focused on educating young Americans on the impact of the debt.

The organization believes it is vital for all Americans to understand the negative impact of excessive government spending and fiscal irresponsibility.

“This is a passion of ours,” Gruskin said.  “The consequences of not doing anything is too great for us to sit and do nothing, so we are trying to use a little humor and absurdity to get college students aware and to possibly join our ranks and join the cause.”

According to CYA’s research, America’s national debt is over $11 trillion.  If each American citizen shares a part of the national debt, they will owe more than $184,000. 

Gruskin and Serna are raising awareness of these figures so that future generations will not have the burden of paying the debt.

Sophomore engineering management information and systems major Claudia Sandoval was one of the few students who stopped by the lemonade stand to sign a mock I.O.U., in which students offer their e-mail address in order to be sent information about the organization and national debt.

“It’s a good idea to raise awareness because not a lot of people are in tune with what’s going on,” Sandoval said. “So many times, students are in an SMU bubble and are not aware the national debt.”