- The Record Archives
- Volume CXVIII, No. XIX - November 3, 2005 -
Class on the weekend? Students learn political lessons from Camp Wellstone
The Record
Last weekend, almost 60 CSB/SJU students spent Friday and Saturday in the classroom.
They may have learned about political tactics, but it meant they missed weekend festivities, such as Saturday's football game.
"That really hurts to miss this game," said junior Cody Fischer. "[But] these are things that are more important."
He and fellow CSB/SJU students, along with almost 10 students from other schools, attended Campus Camp Wellstone to learn about public policy, grassroots organizing and electoral politics.
"I've learned a lot about organizing people, how to convey your message better," said sophomore Vanessa Williams, a member of the College Democrats.
Most of the students who attended are part of the College Democrats or Campus Greens. But junior Peter Polga-Hecimovich, co-chair of the College Democrats, said the event was focused on how to campaign to college students, not focused only on partisan issues.
"It's open to everyone," Polga-Hecimovich said.
Fischer, who describes himself as a moderate, isn't a member of either political campus group. He wasn't there to learn about progressive politics, but rather the techniques on how to mobilize students.
Fischer wants to apply the event's teachings to his job a senator.
"One of the problems we have is getting students to know or care [about issues]," Fischer said. "My main interest is to help create participation on campus."
For others, partisan politics was the main reason to attend the event. Some are already looking ahead to the next election.
"It doesn't start in September 2006, it starts now," said junior Rachel Dougherty, co-chair of the College Democrats.
The Wellstone Action Network, a national group that has trained almost 10,000 activists around the country in grassroots politics and political organizing, founded the camp.
The College Democrats and the Public Policy Learning Community sponsored the two-day event.
"At least 50-60 Bennies and Johnnies are giving up a football game," Doughtery said. "It really means that people care."