With last week as the Tennessee voter registration deadline, campus organizations now must inform citizens of their role in both the current presidential and local elections.
The University of Memphis chapter of College Republicans will host Shelby County GOP Chairman, Lee Mills Tuesday in the University Center Shelby room in hopes of enlightening students on how they can get involved in this election.
“He’s a significant figure in Memphis and we are bringing speakers to unite liberal minded students while engaging millennials in the upcoming elections and the political process,” Louis Focht, president of the U of M chapter of College Republicans, said.
The U of M College Republican’s goal is to “serve unite conservative students on campus by providing opportunities to network with local conservative leaders, vocalize opinions and ideas, discuss current events and create positive change in the community.”
In addition to Mills, they will also host Senate Majority Leader Mark Norris on Oct. 25 and Senator Lamar Alexander's staff representative, Chris Connolly on Nov. 15. Norris will speak about his leadership role in the Tennessee legislature and current laws that are being passed. Connolly will speak about the Senator’s initiatives of improving the education system in Tennessee.
“Speakers are solid figures that are experts who can answer questions about the political process, internships, and just a way to give students the opportunity to politically network,” Focht said.
The U of M College Republicans generally focus on getting students informed and involved in local elections. However, “this election season especially,” they are trying to get the most exposure as possible.
When it comes to exposure, republicans aren’t the only political organizers on U of M campus. The U of M College Republicans are one of the two- the other is the U of M College Democrats. Previously, the U of M even had a registered Independent organization, but it is no longer an active organization.
The U of M College Democrats work to promote “student involvement in civic engagement, politics, and support of democratic causes on a city, state, and national level.”
Each chapter of these organizations is affiliated with larger organizations such as the College Democrats of America and Tennessee National College Republicans. This semester both groups have participated in hosting voter registration tables, speakers, and both attending SAC’s Pizza & Politics-themed events.
Both Focht and Charles Uffelman, the U of M College Democrat’s financial officer, agreed they are excited that both organizations are active on campus. According to Focht and Uffelman, the two have a good relationship.
“I think it’s important that both organizations are on campus and we get the opportunity to be educated and actually witness what’s going on,” political science major, Justus Pope said.
However, while Focht said he would actually be interested in attending some of the U of M College Democrats’ events, Uffelman does not attend events by the U of M College Republicans.
“From the top to the bottom of the GOP we know exactly what the topic is going to be about,” Uffelman said. “Not only do we not support, but we don’t go as democrats because they don’t support equality.”
Monday, the U of M College Democrats placed a cardboard cut-out of Hillary Clinton in the UC Atrium to give students the opportunity to “Snag a photo with HILL-DAWG.” Next week they will host an event entitled “Pin the Toupee on Trump.”
Although College Republicans may not have everyone’s support they understand that “the political climate is tense right now” and their main goal is to “promote unity and dialogue on campus.”
