Students may have no idea that politically active groups are available on Ball State's campus. They also may not know that one of Ball State's own is entering the political ring.
But throughout the campus there are examples of students who are splitting their lives between education and government and are enjoying it.
REPUBLICANS
Republicanism can be summed up in one word: conservative, said College Republican Chairman Tim McVey.
McVey said a Republican is traditionally someone who takes a conservative approach on issues.
"Republicans don't like to spend money," McVey said. "We support the death penalty and are pro-life."
The Republican notion to conserve money explains its opposition to welfare.
"We don't want to have people living off the government but rather work for a living," McVey said. "We have welfare to an extent now, and it can be limited.
Aside from educating others on Republican views, McVey said the group's primary goal is to involve students in local political campaigns and create political contacts for students.
The group also helps people register to vote and promotes voting. "College students are a massive voting block," McVey said. The College Republicans also work with legislation, such as protesting bills from the state legislature. "In 2001 we wrote letters for everyone to sign to eliminate taxation on textbooks," McVey said. "We got upwards of 150 students to sign letters." McVey said the College Republicans offer connections to internships and jobs, regardless of a person's major. "It's a way to get your name out and get involved with society," McVey said. The College Republicans cannot support one candidate until after the primary in each election. A future goal of the group is to start a newsletter and a campus television show and work more with the county's Republican party, McVey said. The group meets at 5:15 Mondays in Teacher's College Room 200C. McVey said 15 to 20 students are active in the group, but they have an e-mail list of nearly 80 students, making up the largest political group on campus. LIBERTARIANS Professor of economics and former Young Libertarian adviser Cecil Bohanon said Libertarianism is seen as a political or social philosophy, depending on the person. "Essentially it is a view about how the government should be ordered," Bohanon said. Bohanon said the philosophy is partially based on an idea by Thomas Jefferson, in which a system which governs least governs best. It supports a system of self-government. Sophomore Seth Lemmons, who is interested in restarting the Ball State Young Libertarians, said it is an issue of personal freedom. "A Libertarian is someone who believes in personal freedom to its fullest extent as long as it does not cause harm to someone else," Lemmons said. The Libertarian view does not come without misconceptions, Lemmons and Bohanon said. Bohanon stressed that Libertarians do not promote anarchy. Yet, Lemmons said, many people believe Libertarians do. "The relatively general idea is that Libertarians are a bunch of hippies and drug addicts," Lemmons said. This misconception stems from a radically left-wing social view, Bohanon said. Libertarians believe in drug decriminalization and civil liberties. But economically, Libertarians sound conservative. They believe in limits on government intervention. The Libertarian presence on the Ball State campus has flickered off and on since the 1980s, Bohanon said. The group began with only two to three members. "I want to help people recognize Libertarian views," Lemmons said. "People don't realize there is anything other than the two major parties." DEMOCRATS The University Democrats have three goals: to educate, to register and to motivate. "We want to let people know what the Democratic party is all about," said chairman Adam Stant. The Democratic party is all about social justice, Stant said. "The party is supportive of Social Security and financial aid support for higher education," he said. Like his Republican counterpart, he stressed the importance of knowing how to register to vote. "A lot of college students are not registered," Stant said. "Every time someone gets a new address they need to re-register." Voting is a significant part of political participation, Stant said. "A vote doesn't count if you aren't there to cast it," he said. Adviser and political science professor John Cranor said the University Democrats are a forum for candidates also. Cranor said the Delaware County Democratic organization works with the University Democrats from time to time. "This helps mobilize Democrats when someone from the party is running for office," Cranor said. "We try to extend to candidates by inviting them and sometimes they solicit us for our time." Meetings are campaign-focused and incorporate local politicians and political situations. Stant stressed an emphasis on personal development along side political skills development. "We can help put issues into action and make a difference," Stant said. "We work on campaigns, and that helps people get internships and jobs." The University Democrats have meetings on basis of need. Stant said the group has eight regular members and a mailing list of 45 to 50 students. Cranor said participation is dependent on the election cycle, as the group expands in election years. SOCIALISTS Socialists believe capitalism must disappear, along with racism, national chauvinism and sexism, said Young Socialist adviser and special education professor Jerry Ulman. They also believe in economic equality. Though the Young Socialists are not affiliated with the Socialist Workers Party, they adhere to its ideals, Ulman said. Ulman said the group defends worker states and the Cuban Socialist revolution. Aside from inviting Socialist speakers, the group members attended a Chicago convention in October 2001 shortly after they resurfaced on campus. The convention was a turning point, Sharp said. "The Young Socialists were very stuck in supporting the Socialist Workers Party," Sharp said. "They were so old left, and we could not have dissenting views. It seems those who believed it just don't dig any deeper." Sharp said he and a few other members decided to detach from the group because it was not inclusive of other Socialist beliefs. He stressed the importance of becoming educated about opposing philosophies. "If you are religious, read Satanic bibles," Sharp said. "If you hate fascism, read Hitler's 'Mein Kampf.' It's good to read things about left politics if you are used to only reading about right politics." Ulman said those who detached themselves from the group at the convention were not boycotting. Ulman said the Young Socialists are an alliance that follows the Socialist Workers Party. "They had basic questions about the Young Socialists' close tie to the Socialist Workers Party," Ulman said. The group is currently made up of eight members and meets at 9:30 p.m. on Tuesdays in Burkhart Building Room 106.
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