College Republicans Tout Diversity

As campus prepares for the 2008 presidential race, the Columbia University College Republicans are adopting a policy of inclusion.

Since the semester began, the Republicans have launched a campaign aimed at informing the student body that many viewpoints are welcome in the club.

“In general, we are trying to really make it clear to potential republicans on campus that we don’t take one decisive stand on any issue,” said Beccy Dunnan, CC ’08. “We have a diverse group of people who have different opinions on these issues.”

“Think the war was a mistake? Some of us do too. We’re a diverse group, don’t exclude yourself over one issue,” read one Republican flier soliciting new members.

In previous years, College Republicans said they have felt that they have been misrepresented and misunderstood by many students on campus. Due to their respectively smaller numbers, the club finds that many students have assumed things about the club without knowing its stance.

“Sometimes people try and pigeonhole the Republicans on campus as supporting one view,” Dunnan said. “We are trying to make people feel that their viewpoint can be heard if they feel they want to associate themselves with us on campus.”

The Republicans have even acknowledged that differing views on issues such as the war in Iraq, abortion, and gay marriage are present in their membership.

In addition to bringing in first-year students, the Republicans say they have noticed a renewed interest from returning students.

“We had about 100 first-year students sign up for our Listserv,” Dunnan said. “But I’ve generally felt much more interest from people who have been aware of the club for a while.”

As the campaigns heat up, “We’ve been trying to get a broad number of speakers, some of whom are potential candidates,” Dunnan said. “We are having an event with two of Mitt Romney’s sons, and we are trying to get involved with specific candidates.”

But as students around campus side with their preferred candidates, the Republicans say they are committed to providing an open forum where supporters of all presidential hopefuls are welcome.

“We had a straw poll during our general body meeting, and a lot of people supported Ron Paul, Mitt Romney, and Giuliani,” Dunnan said. “There are people in this club that are libertarians, socially conservative, and fiscally conservative.”

“I’ve been to a few of the meetings, and I found that its more diverse that I thought it would be,” Gabriel Hall, CC ’11, said. “There’s a wide range of views and it’s not really homogenous like a lot of people think—it’s a good club to join up.”