Long believed to be havens for hippies and bastions of liberalism ringed with high ivory towers, American campuses can no longer be painted with such broad strokes, according to a Harvard study.
A survey recently conducted by Harvard University's Institute for Politics found 61 percent of college students approve of President George W. Bush's performance in office, a marked departure from national polling trends.
Presently, only 53 percent of Americans agree with how Bush is handling his time in office, according to a recent Washington Post-ABC News survey.
The study, however, is not without its skeptics.
"I have a hard time believing there has been that big of a change," said University Politics Prof. Larry Sabato, referencing exit polls from the 2000 election that show little difference between age group voting patterns. "The most reliable data I've seen suggest young people currently do not differ dramatically from the views of older Americans in their views of Bush, positive or negative."
The Cambridge-based Institute's findings are based on data collected during 1,202 telephone interviews with college undergraduates conducted between Oct. 3 and 12.
The study further found that while the general population's approval of the president has fallen from 65 percent to 53 percent from April 2003 to October 2003, the college student approval rating has remained consistent at 61 percent.
"Since Sept. 11 and because of what has occurred during his term, he has an appeal that goes across the traditional right to left political spectrum," said Ali Ahmad, College Republican vice chairman of events. "College kids are educated. They read the papers. They watch CNN, and they know it is right to approve of the job he has done."
With the youth vote apparently up for grabs, groups on Grounds are seeking converts and looking to energize voters.
The College Republicans held a two-day mock election on the Lawn last week. Students wishing to participate had to present a valid University student ID and had their names recorded to ensure they only voted once.
During the event "we made a fairly strong case to reelect Bush," said Ahmad. "We wanted to let people know more about the strengths of the Bush administration and why he deserves four more years."
In the unscientific election, Bush received 69 percent of votes cast. Former Vermont Governor Howard Dean was the top Democratic vote-getter, garnering nearly 12 percent of the vote.
In an effort to educate voters, the resident staff for Echols dorm hosted an event to watch the fifth Democratic presidential candidate debate last night.
According to the Harvard study, 31 percent of college students are undecided in the nine-candidate race. Almost 17 percent support Connecticut Sen. Joseph Lieberman while 15.5 percent favor Dean.
"A lot of the first years don't know this stage of the election has begun now," said Sam Le, Humphries and Echols dorm graduate advisor.
The event drew more than 60 students, many enticed by the barbeque sandwiches, coleslaw and beans provided.
"We're not trying to say Democrats are better or Republicans are better," Echols Resident Advisor Chat Razdan said. "It's just something we hope will increase knowledge about candidates."
Engineering Prof. James Lark, faculty advisor to the University Libertarians, College Republicans President Joe Schilling and Colleen Laurence, University Democrats social service program manager, were on hand to answer residents' questions on behalf of their organization. Campaign literature also was made available for students to investigate.
First-year College student Kim Lanzarotta said she was already planning on watching the debate but that the event probably attracted many students who would not be normally interested in politics.
"Having representatives from each different group definitely facilitated discussion," Lanzarotta added.
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