December 5, 2003 Student
Life
This feature, "Student Life," returns with a new
name, replacing "Student News." The intent, however,
is the same. "Student Life" brings readers the best
of student-produced journalism at Utah State University. Featured
items are written by students for The Utah Statesman,
the official student newspaper of Utah Sate University, or The
Hard News Café, the online publication from the
Department of Journalism and Communication. Both publications
are award winning and present the talents of Utah State's journalists-in-training.
This week's piece is from Hard News Cafe by writer
Callie Taggart
USU students seize chance
of a lifetime in grassroots politics
From the Hard
News Cafe 12/10/03
USU students are living in the chance of a lifetime in
Utah politics. The 2004 Utah Governor's race is shaping up to
be a dynamic and dramatic event.
Republican candidates include former U.S. Trade Ambassador
Jon M. Huntsman, Jr., Board of Regents Chairman Nolan Karras,
former U.S. Representative Jim Hansen, House Speaker Marty Stephen,
business executive Fred Lampropoulos and Utah County Commissioner
Gary Herbert. University of Utah Law School Dean Scott M. Matheson
Jr. is the major Democratic contender.
As an August article in the Deseret Morning News said, "such
political barn-burners only come along a couple of times in
a lifetime. And we urge Utahns to take full advantage of this
one." USU students are. While November 2004 may seem far
off, it is just around the corner for those involved in grassroots
gubernatorial campaigns.
While some students struggle to balance school, a job, and
a social life, Alison Aikele, a senior majoring in public relations,
has yet another thing on her plate. Aikele is the Northern Utah
Region delegate chairperson for the Nolan Karras campaign. She
was also asked to be the state public relations chairperson.
Aikele became involved when a friend she worked with last summer
in Washington, D.C. asked her to head the grassroots effort
between Bountiful and Logan for Karras. Aikele jumped at the
chance to get involved because she sees a grassroots campaign
as a great resume builder. So far she has been spending her
time organizing and training volunteers, and fundraising.
"It will give me some awesome experience for a future
career in politics and public relations," Aikele said.
"This is a great opportunity to get involved in something
outside of school -- this is something in the community that
is really going to affect us."
Alison isn't the only USU student working behind the scenes
for the 2004 governor's race. Also spearheading grassroots campaigns
are Bethany Christensen, working for Jon Huntsman, Jr., and
Brad Jowers, working for Fred Lampropoulos.
While most students spent the last weekend before the end of
the semester gearing up for finals week, Bethany Christensen
was mingling with 300 politicians and volunteers at the Huntsman
Lodge in Deer Valley. In fact, Christensen drove from Logan
to Deer Valley and back three times in three days that week
for open houses planned to recruit volunteers for the Huntsman
Campaign. Since September, Christensen has spent about 20 to
25 hours per week working for the campaign. She also carries
a heavy load of 18 credits as she nears completion of her dual
bachelor's degree from USU in political science and public relations.
Impressively, at the young age of 21, Christensen is the field
director for Cache, Box Elder, and Rich Counties.
Like Aikele, Christensen became involved in this particular
campaign through influential people she met at Foxley/Pignanelli,
a law firm she worked for in Salt Lake City. Christensen said
that her experience has helped her better understand the elections
process that she has learned about in her political science
classes.
"I never realized how early people start campaigning and
how many people it actually takes," Christensen said. "I've
also really enjoyed learning more about the issues facing Utah
and how different people feel about them and why."
Christensen strongly recommends joining a campaign. "Get
involved in a project bigger than yourself that takes teamwork
and promotes the greater good, no matter how small of a part
you may think you play," Christensen said.
Aikele would agree. She advises students to pick a candidate
they really believe in. "If you pick a candidate and you
really don't believe in anything he does or stands for, then
you're not going to have your heart in it and you're not going
to add to the effort," Aikele said.
"I chose Nolan Karras because he's real. I've met a lot
of politicians in my life, and he's a real person. I also agree
with the way he believes improved education will lead to economic
growth -- this is what Utah needs," Aikele said.
Christensen chose to support Huntsman because she says his
business experience will benefit the state. She says people
all over Utah are excited to see someone run who doesn't have
a "typical" politician past.
Most find the dedication of students like Aikele, Christensen
and Jowers quite amazing.
"In college you either get involved or you don't get involved.
You're one or the other. Those who get involved are those who
really want to do a good job," Aikele said.
According to a survey released in October by Harvard's Institute
of Politics, American college students are highly independent
and, contrary to popular belief, "seeking political engagement...[the]
youth vote is up for grabs." The smart gubernatorial candidates
have realized this, and that is why they are tapping into this
large number of potential votes with the expertise of such volunteers
as Aikele and Christensen.
"As far as getting those younger votes, people like me
can bring a lot to a campaign," Aikele said. "The
people I'm working for obviously know how to run a campaign,
but on the other hand, they're not exactly in the University.
Younger people are charismatic and can bring a lot of energy
to a campaign."
Brad Jowers, a senior majoring in management and human resources,
and Utah Youth Coordinator for Lampropoulos' campaign, said
being involved with a campaign and getting college students
to vote can change an entire election.
"Instead of sitting around bad-mouthing what's going on
in politics, students need to take advantage of this opportunity
to really make a difference," Jowers said.
Huntsman agrees that students can make a difference. In October,
at a two-day conference called the Boot Camp of Politics organized
by the USU College Republicans, he praised USU students. "Their
ability to organize, their ability to get the vote out, their
ability to get involved, which they should be doing, could play
a leading role in the outcome of certain elections in 2004.
I'm a strong believer in that," Huntsman said.
Aikele, Christensen and Jowers are already doing their part.
Aikele says the time she spends on the campaign is going to
continue to increase.
"It's just completely uphill from here. After Christmas
it's going to be out of control," Aikele said. "It
will be a challenge, but I can handle it. Bring it on!"
Are you interested in taking advantage of the chance of a lifetime
in Utah politics? Join a grassroots gubernatorial campaign for
Election 2004. Here are just a few of the grassroots efforts
already underway, with contact information for USU student volunteers.
Nolan Karras (R)
www.karras2004.com
Alison Aikele
alisonaikele@cc.usu.edu
Jon M. Huntsman, Jr. (R)
www.votehuntsman.com
Bethany Christensen
BC@votehuntsman.com
Fred Lampropoulos (R)
www.progressutah.com
Brad Jowers
Bradjowers.wasteconversion@earthlink.net
By Callie Taggart
utah
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