The College Republicans at the University of Tennessee will spend the coming weeks at tailgates, debates, weekly meetings and other campus events in hopes of increasing student awareness and involvement.
Tables set up at the University Center throughout the semester reflect their efforts, providing Bush stickers and information on the Republican Party campaign, current issues and voting.
President Jerod Hollyfield said the organization wants to “raise awareness to vote on campus” and “clarify issues” for students. They have seen a lot of success, he said, with a thousand people on their mailing list and at least 50 who show up to every meeting.
“Rarely does someone not commit,” he said.
Hollyfield said they also have a dorm recruitment chain to get students registered. And a letters to the editor campaign, set up to get feedback, is another way to get students involved.
More students have been involved with both Republican and Democratic parties since 9/11, Hollyfield said.
College Republicans placed a 3,000-flag memorial in front of Humanities and Social Sciences for this year’s anniversary.
The College Democrats helped, Hollyfield said. Although the memorial was reorganized, both parties gathered the next day to put it back up.
State College Republicans Chair Zack Condry said the reorganization of the flags saddened him.
Regardless of party affiliation, the most important thing is to get students voting, Condry said. It is a goal to “plant the seed” for student involvement, he said.
“College is preparation for the real world,” Condry said.
This is the College Republicans’ first year as a state-wide federation. Doubling since March, there are now 28 chapters in Tennessee, Condry said.
“I’m really, really happy the elections are going well for Tennessee,” Condry said. “People are calling everyday from different schools, and it’s amazing to me.”
Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, has more than 450 members, and Vanderbilt University is increasing student involvement, he said.
“Universities are taking the campaign into their own hands,” Condry said.
Beyond tailgates, debates and other planned events between now and the election. “Whatever needs to be done we’ll do,” Condry said.
The College Republicans will be celebrating the UT football game against Louisiana Tech on Saturday with a tailgate at the S-9 parking lot between the University Center and the stadium. There will be 2,500 hotdogs donated by the Bush campaign, legislative candidates to meet and stickers to be given out.
The next meeting will be held Sept. 27 in the UC at 7 p.m.
