New students to the University will soon find that the college atmosphere is dripping with political controversy and debate. While the University does have a liberal reputation, and it does not take long to experience it, the conservative right also has a prominent place in the political workings on campus. Whether during election season or through the endless political debates over legalizing marijuana, supreme court appointees, stem cell research and nanotechnology, the campus is always buzzing with activism and student involvement from all sides.
Because professors are discouraged from spreading political ideology on the job, political activism is largely a result of the passion and hard work of students.
Two of the loudest political parties on campus are the College Republicans and College Democrats.
“We’re definitely a partisan group,” said College Republicans Chairman Anthony Warren. “We stand to be a group on campus that promotes conservative values … and serve as a channel for students to get a conservative viewpoint.”
Recognizing the liberal presence in and out of the classroom, Warren said it is often difficult for conservative-minded students to find a comfortable place to interact politically.
“We think classrooms often block the conservative viewpoint,” he said, “so we try to spread that message.”
Warren and the University’s GOP chapter work year-round as a financially independent student organization, surviving on the charity and donations of like-minded alumni, community supporters and party fund raisers, to balance a political spectrum with the conservative opinion that Warren said would otherwise go unheard.
“It’s really difficult, but we feel what we do to represent people is really important,” he said.
“We’re really passionate and dedicated (to providing) the option for students to receive some sort of conservative opinion,” something that is rare, Warren said, especially on the University campus.
College Democrats co-Chairwoman Kristina Edmunson said that her party looks forward to this non-election year and the diversity of issues it will bring.
“We don’t have one way to believe,” Edmunson said regarding the party’s ideology. “There’s something that is important to everybody. I think education is one issue that unites us all … but there’s always students who feel passionately about the war or women’s rights”
The Democrats will be orchestrating something for Hurricane Katrina relief, Edmunson said, probably in line with the national chapter efforts. The Democrats will also hold the
second annual “Dem Days” celebration after a “very successful” debut.
The “carnival-like” festival will have everything from George W. Bush piÃ