Campus Conservatives encourage political involvement

The 2010 primary election was Tuesday, and with the race for governor continuing until November, the Amarillo College Campus Conservatives are campaigning to get more students involved in politics.

“A lot of students feel like their vote doesn’t count or they don’t know enough about politics to cast a vote,” said Judy Jackman, Campus Conservatives sponsor and a Sciences and Engineering Division adviser.

“It’s harder for students to affiliate with parties,” Jackman said. “It’s easier to identify with opinions.”

One of the goals of Campus Conservatives is to make students aware of the different political parties.

“We are trying to teach students what conservatives, liberals and other parties are,” said Paul Henderson, a social work major and vice president of Campus Conservatives. “We want students to know all sides of the table and not be left in the dark.”

The larger task for the group is making the importance of voting known and encouraging fellow students to get involved.

“In order to make changes, you have to be involved in the process,” said Lora Bradshaw, secretary of the Campus Conservatives and forensic science major. “If we voice our opinions now, they will be heard and can change the outlook of things later.”

The club works as a gateway into politics.

Henderson said he likes to talk to people and wants “to open the floor for students to get involved.”

“Voting is important because it gives you an opportunity to have a voice and express yourself,” he said.

Students in the club are encouraged to research parties’ platforms and form their own positions.

Jackman, who said she is not partial solely to conservatives, just wants to get students involved in politics no matter their political stance.

“The youth movement is very important because the future of the youth is so intertwined in it,” she said. “The youth are the future movers and shakers.”

The Campus Conservatives, formerly known as the College Republicans, changed their name this year to relate better to students.

“The name Campus Conservatives better explains to students who the group is and what they stand for,” Jackman said.

The Campus Conservatives meet at noon on Thursdays in 103 Durrett Hall. For more information, call Jackman at 371-5444.

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