The U has a new club that plans to help raise political awareness among college students.
The Rock the Vote Community Street Team Campus Club formed this month due to the Rock the Vote event in mid-October of 2002, which was sponsored by ASUU.
Matthew Mandros, the director of the statewide Rock the Vote campaign, and his team of helpers decided to organize a permanent club at the U to promote civic activity.
This club is not, however, affiliated with the Associated Students of the University of Utah, whose efforts brought about the Rock the Vote event.
Mandros said he acted as the liaison between Utah and Los Angeles where Rock the Vote is based during the U's voting campaign. Mandros adds that when he realized how large the student response was for the Everclear concert as well as with the 2000 Presidential Candidate Ralph Nader's speech, he knew he wanted to keep the spirit of the events alive on the U's campus.
The club is now working on lobbying for a bill that would implement stiffer punishment for those who commit hate crimes.
The club's ultimate goal, however, is to have a club team at every campus in Utah.
"There are no other clubs, so we're the guinea pigs for the national program," Mandros said. "It'll be easy to draw students. The hard part will be to raise the funding because the state budget is so tight and student governments aren't as willing to give money unless it is essential."
According to Mandros, if students aren't politically active, then there will be no change in the state.
"If students aren't active, then they'll commit the same mistakes that have been happening for the past decades," Mandros said.
Jessica Jackman, a member of the club, said students who complain about current issues usually don't vote.
"Students could change what is happening in our government," Jackman said. "Right now we don't have enough say on anything because students don't vote."
Students interested in joining can contact Mandros via e-mail at saltlakecity@rockthevote.org.
sbaghbani@chronicle.utah.edu
