Politics has never been black and white. It is rare that people agree with all of the ideals within their parties. Political groups on-campus are like this as well. While they all do not share the same views on issues, one thing they all agree on is that it is important to be an informed citizen.
College Democrats
Main values and beliefs: Advocating for welfare, healthcare for all Americans and values of the Democratic Party.
Why is it important that your group is represented on campus?:“It’s a good counter to the University, because it seems to us that it’s a very conservative campus,” College Democrats chapter president Cooper Clarke said. “The group is a good counter balance to the majority of Republicans on campus.”
Presenters and outreach in the organization: “We work with local politicians, like the candidates that ran for City Council in Bowling Green, and helped with the Clinton campaign,” Clarke said.
Meeting time: Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. Locations vary.
College Republicans
Main values and beliefs: Open markets, closed borders and the idea the American Dream is obtainable.
Why is it important that your group is represented on campus?: “It is good to have a voice from every angle of the political spectrum,” College Republicans chapter president, Garrett Reynolds said.
Presenters that come to the group meetings: “Local candidates come in to talk about their campaign and professors talk about a variety of topics and explain their reasoning on the issues,” Reynolds said.
Meeting Time: Thursday at 7:30 p.m. in Business Administration 1001
Turning Point
Main values and beliefs: As a conservative-libertarian and nonpartisan group, limited government, individual liberties and capitalism, rather than socialism.
Why is it important that your group is represented on campus?: “Conservative and libertarian views are not necessarily encouraged in the classroom,” Turning Point chapter president Sophia Miller said. “College campuses have taken more of a left-wing turn in order to achieve a balance in ideas.”
Presenters and outreach within the organization: “We encourage community service and charity as part of advocating for smaller government,” Miller said. “We’re also trying to get Kimberly Corban to come in March. She’s a rape survivor and rape victim advocate.”
Meeting Time: Thursday at 7:30 p.m. in Business Administration 1009
Young Americans for Liberty
Main values and beliefs: “We don’t campaign for politicians,” YAL chapter president John Demuth said. “The organization is issue-based, and the focus is on education and activism. Our perspective is based around maintaining freedom and constitutional values.”
Why is it important that your group is represented on campus?: “College campuses are moving away from classical liberal values like giving the maximum amount of individual rights as long as you’re not infringing on the rights of another person,” Demuth said. “We’re here to ensure that people know their constitutional rights if and when the University tries to restrict them.”
Outreach for the group: Handing out copies of the Constitution for student awareness on freedom of speech and assembly and having a “speech ball” where students can write whatever they want on a beach ball to demonstrate freedom of speech.
Meeting Time: Monday at 3:00 p.m. in Eppler South 116
All of the organizations stress even if someone is not completely aligned with the values of the group, all are welcome. Different viewpoints create learning opportunities and add to debates and discussions.
