RECENTLY Grounds has been abuzz with student activism. Although some in the past have questioned the degree to which students at the University are in touch with the problems of the outside world, the recent campaign by S.T.A.N.D. (Students Taking Action Now: Darfur) has proven that students can be motivated to action. Because these organizations not only advance their causes but also improve the life of the University, they should be encouraged by both students and administrators.
While S.T.A.N.D.'s campaign to help stop genocide in Sudan has been highly visible around Grounds in the past few days, numerous organizations have been working as advocates for their causes year-round. Indeed, student organizations such as S.T.A.N.D., Hoos for Israel and Students United for Progressive Change represent just a small sampling of the dozens of CIOs that form the backbone of student activism at the University.
Although some have questioned the level to which student organizations can affect national and global issues, student activists still play an important role in making local politicians respond to their constituents concerns. As Brian Bolin and Jesse Miller, co-presidents of S.T.A.N.D, wrote in an e-mail, "Successful student activism puts political pressure on the government to act."
In addition to this, student activism also works to improve life at the University. Activist organizations create networks of interested individuals that can quickly respond to local issues. In this way student activism can be crucial to creating independent organizations that can respond to problems in the University community.
While activist organizations allow their members to advocate for change, they also play a vital role in educating the entire student body about overlooked issues and increasing civic engagement on Grounds. Activist groups not only inform students about issues that are often ignored by the media, but also offer many students their first opportunity to become involved with the political process. In this way, they can help students apply their education to real world problems.
Students are the important determinant of the strength of activism at the University, as they not only make up the leadership of these organizations but also initiate the grassroots action. Even though many students think that it is difficult and time consuming to become involved in such organizations, Zaahira Wyne, president of Students United for Progressive Change, writes, "Showing up to meetings is the first crucial step." And, as Hoos for Israel PresidentMichael Wain writes, "Students, if they are so motivated, can initiate virtually any kind of political activism." With this in mind, it is clear that the individual students can play an active role in increasing the level of student activism on Grounds.
While the level of student engagement will always be the most important determining factor of the strength of student activism on Grounds, there are a few steps that the administration can take to encourage student engagement that would entail minimal expense for the University.
One such step would be to allow student activist organizations greater leeway in the placing of flyers used to publicize their events and meetings. Bolin and Miller write, "The current University policy limiting flyering to public bulletin boards hinders groups' ability effectively to advertise their events." In addition to this, Student Council should also encourage new students to start groups by decreasing the level of red tape for establishing a new CIO. Acording to Bolin and Miller, this bureaucratic red tape constitutes a major obstacle to the establishment of new student groups.Implementing these steps would constitute a cheap yet effective way for the University to encourage student activism and political engagement among the student body.
With all this in mind, it is clear that student activist groups can be a vital force towards encouraging political engagement at the University. In this way, they have an important role to play not only in the political process, but also in the University community.
Adam Keith is a Cavalier Daily associate editor. He can be reached at akeith@cavalierdaily.com
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