By Kassel Pierre-Jean

The Student Dialogue Session, held on the 10th floor of Axinn Library, had a modest turnout of students as the Day of Dialogue drew to a close before the presidential debate.

Since time for questions was limited at other lectures, the student dialogue gave opportunity to students to raise questions they had from other sessions.

Laurie Johnson of the University’s counseling department and Linda Longmire, a political science professor in New College, moderated the session. Johnson began the dialogue with an observation of the day’s events.

“I’ve seen the most student involvement and engagement today than I ever have in my past 15 years [at the University],” Johnson said.

Students and faculty discussed a variety of topics including the war in Iraq, voter apathy and a military draft.

Many students voiced concerns and questions about the Patriot Act.

“What is the Patriot Act?” one student asked.

Johnson and Longmire briefly explained the details and provisions of the Act.

“It’s a 340-page document that was rushed through Congress and passed 13 days after 9/11,” Johnson said.

Other students chimed in, including Aaron Kusher, a fourth-year political science major.

“No one but the President, Joint Chiefs of Staff and some of the Cabinet read it,” Kusher said. “The Patriot Act II already failed the House.”

As murmurs arose among students about the Patriot Act, Kusher added, “If students don’t think the Patriot Act doesn’t affect them, they’re wrong; it does.”

Graduate student Michelle Rivkin voiced concerns over voter apathy.

“What’s the point of voting? People say it makes a difference, but really it doesn’t,” Rivkin said. “If I vote for Bush in New York state, it won’t really matter because New York is primarily Democratic and Kerry will win anyway.”

Junior Beth Puma, an elementary education major, expressed her opinion that voting does make a difference.

“When I vote, I vote for my own conscience. I vote for what I believe in,” Puma said. “It shows people are trying to stand for something.”

Other issues such as outsourcing of jobs, media regulation and the integrity of the election were other concerns that were raised as the session began to wrap up.

In the end both students and faculty were pleased that the Day of Dialogue had a tremendous turnout.

“It’s very difficult to get students to not form opinions, but just to show up and I was really glad to see the great response and turnout,” Kusher said.

Sophomore Liz Rogers, a film major, also seemed pleased with student interest from the Day of Dialogue.

“I was glad people were participating,” Rogers said. “And they all seemed glad to be there.”