Less than a week before the Maryland presidential primaries, political participation among Hopkins students remains low, according to many campus political groups.
While media across the nation are reporting increased turnout among young voters, representatives from many major Hopkins political groups agreed that student political apathy seems to be the trend on campus.
Evan Lazerowitz, president of the Hopkins chapter of the College Republicans said, "As for low visibility of student groups, I would say that student apathy is the number one cause."
Hopkins's political organizations have been making the effort to engage the student body over the course of the past semester, and they have plans for this spring, many of which are contingent upon and related to the upcoming presidential election.
Over the course of the past few months, Students for Barack Obama have been busy Building up his campaign in Baltimore. Laura Berlinsky-Schine, Media Coordinator for the group, said, "Most recently, we've been doing phone banking - calling for votes - and canvassing for Obama, in the library, at FFC, in Shriver." They began canvassing for voting last semester in coordination with JHU Votes.
Students for Obama members have traveled to other states to canvass for the candidate, and are planning to canvass in Baltimore neighborhoods prior to the Maryland primaries.
As far as Hopkins qualifications go, they have been a fairly active presence on campus.
"We organized a trip to see him speak at Prince George's Community College last semester ... I do think we have good visibility on campus," Berlinsky-Schine said.
The College Republicans have plans for the coming semester, including a trip this weekend to the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Washington, D.C. They are also holding an on-campus lecture by Republican State Sen. Andy Harris, a Hopkins graduate and doctor who is challenging Rep. Wayne Gilchrist for the U.S. Congress in Maryland's 1st District in the upcoming primary.
Last semester, the College Democrats co-sponsored an awareness week with the Milton S. Eisenhower Symposium, Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley and former presidential candidate Howard Dean.
"We had a picnic with the city council, we help to connect people with campaigns, and we've planned an upcoming debate with the College Republicans," said Jordan Libowitz, president of the College Democrats. But, he admits, "Hopkins hasn't ever been a very political school."
Connie Vogelmann, president of the Students for Environmental Action and active member of the College Democrats, commented on the SEA's campus activities, saying, "The group is technically non-partisan, and it's important to maintain that; we've written letters to O'Malley, but we tend to stay out of politics."
Her group launched its major project, Recyclemania, last semester.
Despite their efforts, both the College Democrats and Students for Choice admit they have hundreds of people on both mailing lists, but only a core 20 or so who show up to meetings.
Lazerowitz believes apathy is "not a problem unique to Hopkins." And although there has been nationwide talk of increased young voter turnout, he holds that apathy "occurs all over the nation, with low turnout among youth voters."
Despite election excitement, he said, "Even with candidates who appeal to youth, McCain on the Republican side, who appeared on an MTV debate, and Obama on the other side, that enthusiasm doesn't always translate over to actual political action by students."
Libowitz and Berlinsky-Schine both think the developing election activities will spur students on to greater heights of political interest. "I remember from three years ago," Libowitz said. "In the week before the election the campus became much more politically active. People do care, and they will vote."
Berlinsky-Schine agreed, saying, "I've noticed a big change [in interest] recently. There's lots more, especially now that it's a tight race, that draws people in. It seems like lately there's been a lot more interest, a lot more activism."
On a less optimistic note, Vogelmann said, "Apathy for events at Hopkins goes beyond politics. [The election season] has made a little bit of a difference, but not as much as expected."
Students for Choice has been active this year, holding one major event, the bi-annual Sex on the Beach.
Dorothy Knutsen, Students for Choice president, calls it "a way to promote sexual health on campus."
She also noted that at last semester's event the group provided, "Information about political candidates who are for choice issues, to make sure people know which candidates support those issues."
Meredith Siller, former president of Students for Choice and an active member, said, "We have some speakers, several events a semester and for the most part we're available. It's students who really determine how politically active we are."
