In the 1970’s, student leaders joined together under various banners, the largest of which eventually became known as the Washington Association of University Students (WAUS). The WAUS served as an effective conduit of information between student governments statewide, but it lacked the power to influence lawmakers due to limitations on use of its memberships dues system. Unfortunately, the WAUS faded around 1980 from lack of support by member schools and a stable funding system.

The void created a lack of a united student voice that was partially responsible for an exorbitant 33% tuition increase during a state budget crisis in 1981. In 1982, activist student leaders decided that they had to play a larger, more durable role in communicating the student voice to elected officials. These events lead to the creation of the Washington Student Lobby (WSL) in 1983 and the eventual establishment of legislative liaisons, offices of governmental affairs, and on-campus lobbying organizations.

In its initial form the WSL sought to be a grassroots organization focusing on student power to achieve legislative victories. Chapters were organized independent of student governments with a primary focus on collective student interests statewide. Focusing particularly on promoting affordability and accessibility of higher education as well as efforts to increase demographics of underrepresented students. Initially, the statewide organization was led by three students from each member campus: the WSL chapter president, the associated student body president, and a representative of an under represented demographic.

From its formation, the WSL underwent various changes, including fluctuating levels of membership by institutions, numbers of staff employed, funding systems utilized, and organizational structures. A mandatory opt-out fee on each campus previously funded a much larger budget. The opt-out fees became victims of legal maneuvering by administration officials and erratic changes in telephonic and on-line registration systems. Fluctuating membership in the WSL has also been an issue. Despite these difficulties, the WSL has continued to represent students.

Due to the various fluctuations within the organization the governance structure ultimately became increasingly top down with eventual governance in the hands of the President of each associated student government. Since 2002 an emphasis was placed on expanding the organization back to the grassroots level and increasing statewide membership. The organization took a first step forward in this process in 2006 with the adoption of a second governing body, the General Assembly, with representation based on student population.

To reflect the changes that are continuing to be implemented, the WSL Board of Directors and General Assembly chose to adopt a new name that could encompass the expanding activities of the organization. In May 2009 the General Assembly approved the new name of the WSL: the Washington Student Association. The WSA's current membership base and annual budget represents the highest level of involvement and greatest financial support since the demise of the opt-out system. Student leaders in Washington State continue to work hard to win larger, more substantial victories for students. In the 1970’s, student leaders joined together under various banners, the largest of which eventually became known as the Washington Association of University Students (WAUS).