College Republicans promote conservative ideals

By Brittany Benjamin

As Nov. 4 looms in the not-so-distant future, the College Republicans are gearing up for the election year by seeking more political participation from students and by enticing student Republicans to become more vocal within a perceived liberal majority.

Since many students attend Santa Clara from out of state, the club is promoting voter registration and absentee balloting so that students can be sure to have a say in the country's political future.

"Our biggest goal is to get students to register absentee, so they can still participate in the election even though they're thousands of miles away," said junior Jonas Pauliukonis, chairman of the club.

On the books, Pauliukonis said there are several hundred student members of the College Republicans. These members signed up for the group at the beginning of the year. Then again, "The Santa Clara University College Republicans" Facebook group only lists 107 group members. Of all of these members, about a dozen of these students are active club members who regularly attend club activities.

"We are a collection of students," said Pauliukonis. "Our goal is to promote and bring awareness to current issues facing local state government. We garner participation from college students."

The club participates in activities like phone banking, precinct walking and debates. Several of the club's members have also had articles published in The Santa Clara.

Since the College Republicans don't endorse one specific candidate in the presidential elections, several of the members have submitted individual opinion articles to the paper in support of Republican candidates.

"We do everything," said Pauliukonis, who added that the club also frequents conventions and rallies. "Conventions are always a blast because we get to see other students from other schools. Each time we meet up, it's like a reunion."

Last year, the club attended rallies in support of California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and first lady Laura Bush. At the end of Schwarzenegger's speech, members of the club were able to shake his hand.

This year, they attended a rally for former Massachusetts Governor and presidential candidate Mitt Romney.

"I would say that College Republicans promote social and fiscal policies that are consistent with conservative ideals," said sophomore Daniel Olson, publicity director for the club.

Showing his support for these ideals, Olson vocalized his stance on tax cuts and personal support for Rudy Giuliani's campaign.

"I believe the Republicans have the best policies to ensure legitimate (tax cuts) to strengthen the middle class," he said. "Most tax cuts don't come with a reduction in spending. Giuliani demonstrated that a tax cut must be followed by a reduction in spending to ensure that the deficit of the U.S. does not grow."

On campus, some of the College Republicans feel that they are somewhat of a minority compared to a liberal majority of college students.

In his political science classes, Pauliukonis said the overwhelming majority of students are liberal.

He finds it a relief when professors play devil's advocate in class discussions and point out the strong points in the conservative view.

Overall, Pauliukonis says college students are open to different opinions, but wants less-vocal Republicans to know that they have support when facing the liberal majority student population.

"We want closet Republicans who may be afraid to speak up to know there's a lot of us on campus," Pauliukonis said. "There is support. They shouldn't feel like a minority even though we are a minority."

Contact Brittany Benjamin at (408) 551-1918 at brbenjamin@scu.edu.