Spring Break
University a hotbed of student political action
CAROLYN CRIST
Issue date: 8/9/07 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
Students seem to fall into two groups when they relate to politics as they go through college - the involved and the uninformed. For those who have no idea what's going on in politics, a cheat list is just what you need.
For students looking to get in on the political scene on campus, four active organizations encourage students to get involved.
• The Young Democrats is an offshoot organization of the Young Democrats of America and of the Young Democrats of Georgia, both of which were founded in the early twentieth century. The group meets every Wednesday at 6 p.m. in the Student Learning Center.
The Young Democrats strive to stimulate an active interest in governmental affairs, recruit new members for the Democratic Party and help acquaint voters with major political issues and the political candidates running in local, state and national elections.
• The College Republicans is a club also based off of state and national groups. It meets every Wednesday evening at 7 p.m.
Each year the group registers voters. In fact, it registered more than 600 people last year. During meetings, the group hosts senators, state-wide elected officials, authors and conservative speakers.
The club is involved in outside activities, such as volunteering for political campaigns in Georgia and participating in internship opportunities across the nation.
• Five students created the Campus Green Party last fall, and they officially affiliated with the state and national Green Party earlier this year. The group promotes egalitarianism, grassroots democracy and environmentalism.
Environmentalism was the founding concept of the group, and members support the nation's independence from foreign oil and development of alternative technologies.
The group meets weekly in the Student Learning Center.
• The Libertarians meet on Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m. in the Student Learning Center and Thursdays at 8 p.m. at the Hot Corner Coffee shop. The group does not hold formal meetings, but its members invite students to attend gatherings Tuesdays and Thursdays to carry on a discussion of liberty, news and Athens events.
All times and rooms in the Student Learning Center will be confirmed for the organizations when fall semester begins.
- Carolyn Crist
Republican Saxby Chambliss was elected to his first term as a U.S. Senator in 2002. He wants to bring safety to America, improve education through support of the No Child Left Behind Act and prevent illegal immigration. Chambliss earned a Bachelor's degree from the University in 1966 and earned his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Tennessee College of Law.
Paul Broun, the most recently elected representative, won a special election July 17 to be the U.S. Representative of Georgia's 10th District to fill Charlie Norwood's seat. Broun is a Republican and a native of Athens. He graduated from the University with a Doctorate from the Medical College in Augusta.
Senators
Bill Cowsert, a Republican representing the 46th District, was elected to the state Senate in 2006. He oversees Oconee County and parts of Clarke and Walton Counties. Cowsert is an attorney. He graduated from the University's Law School.
Ralph Hudgens, a Republican who represents the 47th District, was elected in 2002. He oversees Barrow, Madison, Oglethorpe and parts of Clarke, Elbert and Jackson Counties.
Representatives
Keith Heard, a Democrat representing the 114th District, was elected to the Georgia House in 1993. He works in insurance sales with Allstate Insurance Company. He studied telecommunications at the University. He can be contacted at 404-656-0220 at the capital or at 706-353-1772 at home.
Doug McKillip, a Democrat, was elected in 2007 to the Georgia House to represent the 115th District. McKillip is an attorney who graduated with his Bachelor in Science in 1991 and Juris Doctorate in 1994 from the University. He can be contacted at 404.656.0220 at the capital, at 706-613-1900 in Athens or at 706-546-6279 at his home.
Bob Smith, a Republican representing the 113th District, joined the Georgia House in 1999. He is a real estate broker with Oconee Properties and Smith, Rawlins and Associates. He graduated from the University in 1976 with a Business Administration degree. Smith can be contacted at the capital at 404.463.2247 and in Watkinsville at 706.769.8794.
Alice Kinman, the commissioner of District 4 that oversees the University, began her first term in 2005. She has worked with the University as an adviser, lecturer and scholar. She can be reached by phone at 706-613-6668.
Kelly Girtz, the commissioner of the super-District 9 that oversees District 4 over the University, began his first term in 2007. He worked with the Clarke County's school District as a teacher. Girtz can be reached at 706-369-9457.
GET POLITICAL ON CAMPUS
For students looking to get in on the political scene on campus, four active organizations encourage students to get involved.
• The Young Democrats is an offshoot organization of the Young Democrats of America and of the Young Democrats of Georgia, both of which were founded in the early twentieth century. The group meets every Wednesday at 6 p.m. in the Student Learning Center.
The Young Democrats strive to stimulate an active interest in governmental affairs, recruit new members for the Democratic Party and help acquaint voters with major political issues and the political candidates running in local, state and national elections.
• The College Republicans is a club also based off of state and national groups. It meets every Wednesday evening at 7 p.m.
Each year the group registers voters. In fact, it registered more than 600 people last year. During meetings, the group hosts senators, state-wide elected officials, authors and conservative speakers.
The club is involved in outside activities, such as volunteering for political campaigns in Georgia and participating in internship opportunities across the nation.
• Five students created the Campus Green Party last fall, and they officially affiliated with the state and national Green Party earlier this year. The group promotes egalitarianism, grassroots democracy and environmentalism.
Environmentalism was the founding concept of the group, and members support the nation's independence from foreign oil and development of alternative technologies.
The group meets weekly in the Student Learning Center.
• The Libertarians meet on Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m. in the Student Learning Center and Thursdays at 8 p.m. at the Hot Corner Coffee shop. The group does not hold formal meetings, but its members invite students to attend gatherings Tuesdays and Thursdays to carry on a discussion of liberty, news and Athens events.
All times and rooms in the Student Learning Center will be confirmed for the organizations when fall semester begins.
- Carolyn Crist
National
Republican Johnny Isakson was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2004. He promises to bring tax relief to America's families and small businesses, strengthen the military, succeed in the war on terror at home and abroad and create a smaller and more accountable federal government. He graduated from the University in 1966.Republican Saxby Chambliss was elected to his first term as a U.S. Senator in 2002. He wants to bring safety to America, improve education through support of the No Child Left Behind Act and prevent illegal immigration. Chambliss earned a Bachelor's degree from the University in 1966 and earned his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Tennessee College of Law.
Paul Broun, the most recently elected representative, won a special election July 17 to be the U.S. Representative of Georgia's 10th District to fill Charlie Norwood's seat. Broun is a Republican and a native of Athens. He graduated from the University with a Doctorate from the Medical College in Augusta.
State
Governor Sonny Perdue was sworn in on January 13, 2003. Perdue works to reform the state budget, set priorities and cut wasteful spending. He became the first Republican governor of Georgia since the end of Reconstruction in the 1870s. Perdue's main focus in office has been on reforming state government, improving education and growing the state's economy.Senators
Bill Cowsert, a Republican representing the 46th District, was elected to the state Senate in 2006. He oversees Oconee County and parts of Clarke and Walton Counties. Cowsert is an attorney. He graduated from the University's Law School.
Ralph Hudgens, a Republican who represents the 47th District, was elected in 2002. He oversees Barrow, Madison, Oglethorpe and parts of Clarke, Elbert and Jackson Counties.
Representatives
Keith Heard, a Democrat representing the 114th District, was elected to the Georgia House in 1993. He works in insurance sales with Allstate Insurance Company. He studied telecommunications at the University. He can be contacted at 404-656-0220 at the capital or at 706-353-1772 at home.
Doug McKillip, a Democrat, was elected in 2007 to the Georgia House to represent the 115th District. McKillip is an attorney who graduated with his Bachelor in Science in 1991 and Juris Doctorate in 1994 from the University. He can be contacted at 404.656.0220 at the capital, at 706-613-1900 in Athens or at 706-546-6279 at his home.
Bob Smith, a Republican representing the 113th District, joined the Georgia House in 1999. He is a real estate broker with Oconee Properties and Smith, Rawlins and Associates. He graduated from the University in 1976 with a Business Administration degree. Smith can be contacted at the capital at 404.463.2247 and in Watkinsville at 706.769.8794.
Local
Mayor Heidi Davison began her first term in 2003. Her second term started in 2007. She can be reached at her home at 706-546-9643 or at her office at 706-613-3010.Alice Kinman, the commissioner of District 4 that oversees the University, began her first term in 2005. She has worked with the University as an adviser, lecturer and scholar. She can be reached by phone at 706-613-6668.
Kelly Girtz, the commissioner of the super-District 9 that oversees District 4 over the University, began his first term in 2007. He worked with the Clarke County's school District as a teacher. Girtz can be reached at 706-369-9457.
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ZAID
posted 8/09/07 @ 3:43 PM EST
Greens also promote antiwar activities and living wage advocacy. Great article!
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