2008 Woodie Awards
Partisan rivalries heat up on campus
Daina Amorosano
Issue date: 1/24/08 Section: News
As the presidential primaries and election approaches, the Union community is engaged in the current and prepares itself for the future heat of political debates surrounding the 2008 campaigns.
Politically active members of the student body are banding together to unite their like-minded peers and spread political awareness. Faculty members concerned about apathy are also taking steps to encourage and engage students inside and outside of the classroom.
Although there is some sentiment on campus regarding student apathy towards political issues, efforts are being made within the student body and faculty to combat this problem. Just this past Thursday, Political Science professors John Zumbrunnen and Terry Weiner facilitated a "Pizza and Politics" forum on current politics and the upcoming elections to get students more informed and involved.
The College's consistently active campus political group, the College Republicans, has heightened its initiative. Its dormant counterpart, the Campus Democrats, has recently been resurrected by Aaron Goldman, '08. Concerned that "the student community is not as well informed as it should be," Weiner hopes that "the student groups could organize events, debates and speakers for each candidate," especially in such a high stakes election, with the "future of the Supreme Court and the right to choose, as well as the future of America in Iraq" at risk.
Abigail Cable, '10, leads the College Republicans. The group is part of a national organization that aims to spread the conservative message on campus and work on local elections; one answer to Weiner's hopes. So far, the group is set to host a forum, co-sponsored by the Debate club, during which student representatives will speak on behalf of each of the candidates. As of now, the group does not support a specific candidate, but after the Convention, it will work with the New York Republican Party to campaign on behalf of the Republican nominee.
Cable feels that it "is especially important to have a conservative student organization on campus because most college campuses are overwhelmingly liberal. A conservative voice needs to be heard on campus to challenge the overwhelming bias that exists on the Union campus. There is a sense of assumed liberalism in the classroom, and conservatives need to take a stand against that."
Though Campus Democrats is just restarting this term, it is taking immediate measures to get involved and inform its members and the rest of the community. For starters, head of the group Aaron Goldman, '08, has planned both a series of debates and round-table Socratic-style discussions. He is also contemplating a "get-out-the-vote" campaign. He hopes to lead a giant rally outside the Nott next term.
Campus Democrats will be coordinating its efforts with the local Democratic party chapter in Albany and the national chapter of College Democrats. It is early, but according to Goldman "so far, our turnout looks promising!"
Heather Pleskow, '11, understands the "difficult transition from child to adulthood. Most of us will only be voting for the first time, and all of a sudden we have to be informed and aware. It's a little intimidating, but it would be more comforting to have more outspoken campus forums to better ease this transition."
Politically active members of the student body are banding together to unite their like-minded peers and spread political awareness. Faculty members concerned about apathy are also taking steps to encourage and engage students inside and outside of the classroom.
Although there is some sentiment on campus regarding student apathy towards political issues, efforts are being made within the student body and faculty to combat this problem. Just this past Thursday, Political Science professors John Zumbrunnen and Terry Weiner facilitated a "Pizza and Politics" forum on current politics and the upcoming elections to get students more informed and involved.
The College's consistently active campus political group, the College Republicans, has heightened its initiative. Its dormant counterpart, the Campus Democrats, has recently been resurrected by Aaron Goldman, '08. Concerned that "the student community is not as well informed as it should be," Weiner hopes that "the student groups could organize events, debates and speakers for each candidate," especially in such a high stakes election, with the "future of the Supreme Court and the right to choose, as well as the future of America in Iraq" at risk.
Abigail Cable, '10, leads the College Republicans. The group is part of a national organization that aims to spread the conservative message on campus and work on local elections; one answer to Weiner's hopes. So far, the group is set to host a forum, co-sponsored by the Debate club, during which student representatives will speak on behalf of each of the candidates. As of now, the group does not support a specific candidate, but after the Convention, it will work with the New York Republican Party to campaign on behalf of the Republican nominee.
Cable feels that it "is especially important to have a conservative student organization on campus because most college campuses are overwhelmingly liberal. A conservative voice needs to be heard on campus to challenge the overwhelming bias that exists on the Union campus. There is a sense of assumed liberalism in the classroom, and conservatives need to take a stand against that."
Though Campus Democrats is just restarting this term, it is taking immediate measures to get involved and inform its members and the rest of the community. For starters, head of the group Aaron Goldman, '08, has planned both a series of debates and round-table Socratic-style discussions. He is also contemplating a "get-out-the-vote" campaign. He hopes to lead a giant rally outside the Nott next term.
Campus Democrats will be coordinating its efforts with the local Democratic party chapter in Albany and the national chapter of College Democrats. It is early, but according to Goldman "so far, our turnout looks promising!"
Heather Pleskow, '11, understands the "difficult transition from child to adulthood. Most of us will only be voting for the first time, and all of a sudden we have to be informed and aware. It's a little intimidating, but it would be more comforting to have more outspoken campus forums to better ease this transition."
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