By Sophia Strawser
Assistant Features Editor
There is not a spot on campus that has not turned into a political frenzy. In the student center from 2:00 to 5:00 pm, this frenzy has claimed the name “Issue Alley”. From non-profit organizations to student clubs, everyone was well represented in this causal setting.
Student clubs from Students for a Greener Hofstra, She’s the First, to political clubs such as the College Republicans and College Democrats outlined the student center dining room. Shortly after 2 p.m, the students began to file in. The room was thick with heated debates but through its course, everyone seemed to remain level headed, leaving further educated on what other students believe politically.
Issue Alley would not have been possible had it not been for the sponsorship of AARP and Barnes and Noble. AARP had a large table set in the middle of the Student Center during the event.
Christopher R. Widelo, Associate State Director, stressed that AARP was honored to be able to be Hofstra’s primary sponsor for this year’s debate. AARP asked students to fill out a questionnaire in order to get a free T-shirt. These questionnaires’ results, along with the ones previously conducted, will be compiled in order to allow for the current and/or future President and administration to eventually see.
This allows students and adults to have a say in what happens to Medicare, Social Security, and many other issues.
“The changes that take place in Social Security in the years to come will affect students and people my age,” said Widelo.
AARP will be holding a screening of the debate tonight at 7 p.m. in the Axinn Library.
The College Democrats had a table set up right across from AARP at which they were working to explain Trickle Down Economics to students passing by.
Elizabeth Wolf and Max Bidna of the College Democrats spoke of their club’s effort to make their opinions and views known on campus. They have Obama signs all over campus as well as a large following of members speaking up for what they believe. Another focus for them is to encourage people to vote.
“We had voter registration forms out last week and we ended up having around 25 people register,” said Bidna.
The College Republicans have also been speaking up around campus, making sure their words are heard.
“We have all active members around campus holding up signs at the rallies,” said club member Joey Sica.
At their table, the Republicans had “Republican Jeopardy” which allowed people to see what Mitt Romney stands for as well as what Obama is doing currently in office. The President of the College Republicans, Charles Picone, spoke of the importance of the two student-run debates they held on campus between the political college clubs. SGA sponsored the debate that was held last week in which Picone felt that the College Republicans represented themselves quite well.
“There were people saying that they came into the college club debate without knowing what party they were affiliated with,” said Picone. “But left knowing they were a Republican.”
This is, for most students, a once in a lifetime opportunity and as for the clubs involved in Issue Alley it seems they are making the most of this exciting happening.